tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1636694654099095933.post4516514221963612587..comments2023-11-02T05:22:21.056-07:00Comments on Pundit Fight: The Political Arena: The Rise and Rise of Mike Huckabee (part 3 of 3)PunditFighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17738420661147585862noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1636694654099095933.post-4405899479615527662007-12-13T02:14:00.000-08:002007-12-13T02:14:00.000-08:00ok i'll biteok i'll bitePunditFighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17738420661147585862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1636694654099095933.post-2816873079098385772007-12-12T06:57:00.000-08:002007-12-12T06:57:00.000-08:00Much of the political world’s attention in recent ...Much of the political world’s attention in recent days has been focused upon Democrat presidential candidate <STRONG>Barack Obama</STRONG> and how he might benefit from the so-called “<STRONG>Oprah Effect</STRONG>.” Conversely, little attention has been paid to the impact of the “<STRONG>Okra Effect</STRONG>” on <STRONG>Mike Huckabee</STRONG> -- that is, until now.<BR/><BR/>During the last weekend of September, Republican presidential candidates traveled to Irmo, S.C., to participate in the <A HREF="http://www.irmookrastrut.com/" REL="nofollow" TITLE="Okra Strut"><STRONG>Okra Strut</STRONG></A>, an event described in a <A HREF="http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/10/04/s_carolina_key_in_republicans_ambitions/" REL="nofollow" TITLE="Boston.com Article 10-04-07"><STRONG>Boston.com article</STRONG></A> as “a parade and festival celebrating the slimy green vegetable so beloved in the South.”<BR/><BR/>While some might scoff at the notion of the Okra Effect, I do not. Why not? Because I’ve analyzed events that have transpired during the two and a half months since the Okra Strut took place.<BR/><BR/>For instance, the above-referenced article, among other things, included a statement that <STRONG>Rudy Giuliani</STRONG> was looking at South Carolina as a springboard to win Florida on Jan. 29. Apparently, the former New York City mayor’s board has lost some of its spring since then as <A HREF="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/sc/south_carolina_republican_primary-233.html" REL="nofollow" TITLE="Real Clear Politics 12-11-07"><STRONG>Real Clear Politics</STRONG></A> shows Rudy leading the Palmetto State GOP race in only one of five polls.<BR/><BR/>The article included a mention of <STRONG>Fred Thompson</STRONG> as a native Southerner, popular actor, and former senator from Tennessee, is aiming to jump-start his campaign by sweeping the South, with South Carolina a virtual must-win. And he's still waiting. A <A HREF="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/sc/south_carolina_republican_primary-233.html" REL="nofollow" TITLE="Real Clear Politics 12-11-07"><STRONG>Real Clear Politics</STRONG></A> poll average today shows Thompson in a virtual third-place tie with Giuliani.<BR/><BR/><STRONG>Mitt Romney</STRONG> was said to have spent more time and money in the state than Giuliani. After spending that much money (and missing the Okra Strut due to a brief illness), the former Massachusetts governor finds himself mired in second place.<BR/><BR/>And, finally, the article gave mention to <STRONG>Mike Huckabee</STRONG> as a Baptist minister and former Arkansas governor who has drawn some excitement from evangelicals and conservative activists, but remains far back in the polls and fund-raising. Since then, however, Huckabee has surged into first place in South Carolina.<BR/><BR/>An <A HREF="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jk3AaRQo0m2vq6Qkq_4vHcm4OBFgD8TC81UO1" REL="nofollow" TITLE="AP Carnivores 12-07-07"><STRONG>Associated Press article</STRONG></A> four days ago might help explain his rise in popularity.<BR/><BR/>Huckabee is quoted as saying, "Carrots. I just don't like carrots. I banned them from the governor's mansion when I was governor of Arkansas because I could." Nowhere in the article, however, does one find Huckabee expressing any disdain for the slimy green vegetable to which he might owe his success.<BR/><BR/>That's why, I think it's safe to conclude, that this one-time long-shot candidate does indeed owe his success to something -- most likely, the <STRONG>Okra Effect</STRONG>.<BR/><BR/>I won't be surprised if his campaign rallies begin to feature segments during which throngs of Huckabee supporters chant a new slogan, "<A HREF="http://www.cafepress.com/bobmccarty/4282464" REL="nofollow" TITLE="ALL HAIL OKRA!™"><STRONG>ALL HAIL OKRA!™</STRONG></A>"Bob McCarty Writeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01653246622259694146noreply@blogger.com