Here’s my assessment. I believe a lot of us were praying for him to get back to the positive message that caused him to surge in the first place. Getting into a back and forth with Romney was only going to turn voters off and depress his turnout. From what we know there was an internal battle as to which way to go. I believe they made the ad yesterday, but the final decision was made today to not air it and to change the tone.

I think the press conference could have been handled better, but overall I think what matters is that the campaign is getting back on course. He’s getting pounded for appearing to try a campaign trick of not airing an ad and then releasing it so others pick up on it, but I sincerely believe that the decision was made last minute, and there was no strategic element involved. As others have pointed out there could be a strategic benefit whether it was intended or not.

I don’t think the negative coverage is going to hurt him, but what I think is important is that he did the right thing and that is what will have the affect. I do believe we’re in a spiritual warfare. That’s why I believe it is so important to not get pulled into the negative. Remember we’re suppose to “Be angry, but sin not.” It’s ok to be angry about all the attacks, but we can’t let that draw us into bitterness or a desire for revenge. By doing this Mike Huckabee has removed himself from a trap that many of us saw being laid for him.

I think you should apologize to all the snakes out there!

I'd rather cuddle up with 200 snakes than one slick Mitt.

I was out all day today with my family - when I got in tonight I found out what happened. Before I could read the responses in here I already had formed an opinion on this matter. It isn't good. This was a poor move by Huckabee. I still support our candidate, but this reeks of an underhanded move. I hope to be able to chalk it up to Ed Rollins giving bad advice - I hope I can.


Now, I still have confidence in backing my candidate - that has not faltered - But this could be a serious problem for us. Thoughts?


EDITED:

http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/ ... FmYmYzZTg=

After reading the post in this viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5388 thread, I am relived that my gut feeling was wrong. Thanks mommahawk for showing me that.

I cant explain the sinking I felt when I heard how this was being played up on the MSM and blog sites - this interview with Wolf helps tremendously.

I do think Mike is a man of character - he needs to stand by his principles and keep his head up. I cant help but think that Ed had a hand in pushing the negative ads... Good for you Mike. It could have been done better in presentation, but good for you.

Brett,
Have you read this post yet?

I think his explanation there helped clear up a lot for me.

There's no way to see this other than being cheap and childish and manipulative. I'm going to give Huckabee to the end of the week, but he may have just lost my support with this stunt. This really lacks integrity.

I can't see how a room full of very intelligent peoplecould have come to the conclusion that this was a good idea...

All he had to do was stick to the message...he didn't even have to mean it, but he couldn't deviate from it, and now he has...

While I agree it wasn't a good idea, who do you plan to support other than Mike? Who has ran a 'cleaner' campaign and still stands for your values and beliefs? We, as constituents, are in a lose-lose situation in 99% of political situations.

I dunno... maybe I'll go check out ron paul, he seems to still be on message...(dang I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit...)

This did help me alot. I updated my original post -
thanks!

fiodax -
read this http://forum.hucksarmy.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5388

And he has run a 'cleaner' campaign?

I was praying really hard that God would give Mike wisdom on this issue. Whether this hurts his chances of being our President or not remains to be seen. I believe him when he said he had a change of heart. I think our prayers caused it. Now we have to pray for God's will in the outcome. We must keep on praying and doing our best to promote the best Presidential candidate running for 2008.

I don't know if he has or not, I don't like the tactics of his supporters that is for sure.

I think i am just reacting to what i perceive to be a huge disappointment.

however, the wolf blitzer interview does give me some hope. He is taking some big risks with those words (costing him the caucus and all that). There may yet be a glimmer of hope for me.

I believe Mike, too.

But I have found it very difficult to watch him getting beaten up over and over. I was glad to see him defending himself and I applauded the ad if only for that reason.

Do I think it needed to be played on tv stations throughout Iowa? No. Did I think it needed to be played to reporters? Maybe not. Did I feel a bit better after seeing it? I have to admit yes, though that may not be the best part of me.

There is never any clear cut CORRECT way to deal with the evil I feel Mitt Romney represents. Mike needs to stand his ground and protect himself and still maintain that higher ground.

No, I'm not a troll, go read my blog if you need me to prove it. I'm a ranger and have given my own hard earned money to Mike's campaign as well as convinced friends of mine to do that same on the premise that Mike is a man of integrity and that he is committed to his message.

This stunt makes me look like a fool, like I got tricked by someone who had all the right key words to get a Christian to support him...but in reality just wanted to become president...

Mike better be pulling hard on the stick, because this may have just put him in a howard dean-ish nose dive.