Every once in a while, politicians who know what they're doing can get off a line that defines an opponent. In recent memory: "There you go again." "Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." "...I will not take advantage of my opponent's youth and inexperience." Even those falling short of that mark can still get off a good one, however. Near as I can tell, the Super Tuesday winner was Republican Mike Huckabee. He'd be an utterly disastrous VP choice for McCain - I'll explain why another time - but credit him for skills. He seems to exemplify Ray Charles' self-described "country dumb" approach, which lasts right up until you give him the right opening.
Background: Romney suggested on Sunday that Huckabee get out of the race, because he was splitting the conservative vote. He also accused the McCain and Huckabee campaigns of striking a deal in West Virginia in an effort to hurt Romney, which is almost certainly true. Which brings us to the Huckabee response:
"Well, yesterday he was chiding me -- he said not to whine. Today's he's changed his position on whining and today he's for whining. So once again Mitt has been able to take both sides of all issues, including whining."
That'll leave a lasting mark.
I'll never give Huckabee much credit for being a great thinker, but I've gotta give him credit for being a great speaker.
Joe-
That kind of repartee is associated with the most sophmoric minds. And that is where the modern political process has gotten these days.
Once again we are going to be left with bad and worse choices in the general.
At least Fred ran a good, honest, old fashioned campaign which did not resonate with those addicted to sound bites and "reality" TV. (Short attention span theater, anyone remember that?)
Maybe we can make the Constitution Party a viable alternative?
That kind of repartee is associated with the most sophmoric minds. And that is where the modern political process has gotten these days.
Oh yes. And those sophomoric minds will eat the lunch of you relly, relly, smart people. People so darn smart that, well, calling the winner sophomoric just as good as, you know, actually winning. At least Huckabee was funny. Joe's point stands.
I like Mitt Romney, because of his family, and I want to believe he's telling the truth and he's made up his mind where he stands, but like Instapundit I wonder about his sincerity. (link) And the reasons for that are his own fault, not Mike Huckabee's fault.
Mike Huckabee's taken plenty of personal shots. Most of his own attacks on others have struck me as tacky. I'm glad that this time he pulled off a good parry and reposte.
Mind you, I'm even gladder the Americans won't be electing him president any time soon. I'll all for life, but not for the Americans returning to a Carter-like foreign policy, or altering their constitution so as to enforce directly the will of Jesus, or stirring up prejudice against Mormons.