Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s cash-strapped campaign says it will no longer lug around the news media.
While candidates who have won multiple contests are expanding their campaigns to travel with more reporters critical for covering their events, the former Arkansas governor, who has only won Iowa, is getting out of the media transportation business.
Huckabee came in a disappointing second in South Carolina, a state full of conservative Republicans (a constituency that helped deliver a victory for him in Iowa), and he placed third in Michigan after spending several days there to try to knock off the state’s native son Mitt Romney.
To shore up his campaign coffers, Huckabee spent Monday evening at a fundraiser in Orlando, Florida (the next state to vote) and has two more scheduled for Tuesday, one in Atlanta and another in Florida.
It was unclear if the decision to ditch the media entourage was related to his campaign’s cash flow, and while news outlets pay for their seats on the planes and buses, logistics can still be costly and time-consuming. CNN reported the campaign said there were too many empty seats on the plane.
While a darling of the conservative movement, the Huckabee campaign has been frustrating to the media because his shoestring campaign often released his schedule late at night and added events at the last moment. Logistics were often haphazard — all of which makes it difficult to cover him.
Huckabee’s campaign press secretary Alice Stewart sent the following e-mail to reporters letting them know that they would have to make their own arrangements and included the latest schedule:
Hi There Folks-Transportation for the traveling press pool provided by the Huckabee presidential campaign for the early caucus/primary states will be halted, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008.
The campaign will continue to provide detailed scheduling information and make every effort to assist you. When possible, we will provide pool opportunities. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions.
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
- Photo credit: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst (Huckabee arrives at a polling place in South Carolina on Saturday.)
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32 comments so far
“While a darling of the conservative movement”
Hardly. Huckabee is no conservative. The only true conservative in the race is Fred Thompson. Huckabee is also the only Republican to use personal attacks, rather than facts and records, against his opponents. Some Christian leader he is. Of all the candidates, he has exhibited the least Christian behavior.
- Posted by ConnieHuh, and he is supposed to be a 1st tier candidate ?
Meanwhile didn’t someone else raise 1.9 million in a single day yesterday?
Huh.
- Posted by AprilI agree with Connie. Huck is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He comes off as self-righteous when he poses himself as being the one who doesn’t go on the offensive, when in reality he is running from his record, and trying to defend his record not by refuting the claims, but rather by calling the accusations “attacks.” Then he engages in low-brow “Metamucil”-type personal assaults without even attempting to bring policy into the matter.
- Posted by DavidConnie,
- Posted by JayYou’re only half-right. Huckabee is not a conservative. Thompson isn’t a conservative either. He’s a big government republican, which makes him another reason why we don’t know what the difference is between republicans and democrats. Only liberals like big government. He talks a good game but has very little to back it up.
Ron Paul is the only conservative. Small federal government, low taxes, no costly nation-building.
Sorry, Connie, but you must be cross-eyed and mistaking one candidate for another.
“the only Republican to use personal attacks” is absolutely wrong. They have *all* gone on the attack. Romney was the first of the major candidates (Paul doesn’t count) and the most prolific. McCain and Huckabee have done the least, particularly with each other. Hmmm… a team in the making?
The “darling” part comes from the assurance that he means what he says on issues such as abortion, homosexuality, etc. Other major candidates, notably Giuliani and Romney, have taken so many positions on both sides that conservatives cannot trust them.
And “least Christian”?!! Give me a break.
- Posted by StanThe only true conservative is Ron Paul.
Fred Thompson is just an actor, yes I know he served, however he is proficient at making you believe what he wants you to believe while he is “telling a story”.
- Posted by Jeremy KowalskiRon Paul is the only conservative in the race.
Huckabee is anything to anyone, simply pandering to all.
- Posted by JohnKingHuckabee will surprise folks in Florida.
http://huckabeeterrapin.blogspot.com/
- Posted by NoelJay,
And unfortunately Ron Paul seems to have a clear disconnect from reality with his odd diatribes about monetary policy - which he clearly does not understand.
Huckabee is a social conservative and a fiscal conservative, he is not however a big business conservative, he believes in standing up for those who need a hand up. Once they are on their feet, he believes in letting them continue the pursuit of happiness without government intervention
- Posted by AlastairDr. Ron Paul was endorsed by “Jane Roe” today. He is the only conservative in the race. He will lower taxes and cut spending and bring our troops home from dangerous and costly nation building missions around the world that are bankrupting our country as evidenced by the current crash. Return to real money as good as gold, vote Ron Paul 2008!
- Posted by David SThompson has stuck it out thus far to siphon off votes from other so-called conservatives in order to help McCain. He’ll drop out soon and back McCain, probably the least Republican candidate in the race. The media is working overtime trying to convince you McCain is your man. Maybe with Fred on board, they’ll succeed. Republicans would do well to resist the hard sell. McCain doesn’t have a prayer in a general eleciton.
- Posted by EllenI echo the sentiment expressed by others in these comments. Huckabee is not a true conservative (I do like his idea of abolishing the IRS, however). But just look at his voting record: he approved tax payer dollars to give scholarships to illegal aliens. Taxes were also higher when he left office than when he started. Aren’t conservatives supposed to lower taxes?
Look at what is happening to the economy? We need a true conservative like Dr. Ron Paul who possesses a sound understanding of fiscal AND monetary policy.
- Posted by Jake LarsenYou’re right. Huckabee is no conservative. He is a centrist. He also happens to be the only Republican with a chance to beat Hillary.
But I guess the Republican establishment would rather lose the election than let a man of the people take over.
- Posted by David AndersonHardly! Thompson was bankrolled by Mac to pull vote from Huck so Mac could win SC. Such is politics and we will get more of typical dirty Washington games by keeping those old players in the game.
Also your dear Thompson was as generic of a conservative as their is and could never deliver anything speciffic he would to do “defend or nation” or “help our economy”. This is why he is dropping out of the race. He just was pushing ideas, not plans.
While I will say Huckabee & Romney look appealing in different ways Gullani and Mac are at the bottom of the list and are the dirty politics of what Washington is all about to me.
Lets get the “special interest backed lawmakers” out and get the LEADERS (Both former Governors) in! This country needs a leader not a law maker.
- Posted by Rodneyhuckabee’s going to win — he doesn’t need the news media because jesus is spreading the word
- Posted by horace manoorHuckabee and McCain are in cahoots. Huckabee knows he won’t win the nod but he serves a very important role for McCain…take votes away from Mitt Romney. I wouldn’t be surprised if McCain has already promised Huck a VP or cabinet position for his staying in the race as a “spoiler”. Dirty politics? You bet.
- Posted by SteveHuckabee is THE ONLY TRUE SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE!
McCain supports embryonic stem cell research.
Paul and Thompson support state abortion rights, if a state chooses so.
Romney has supported abortion until lately.
Thompson has hurt Huckabee in SC and where is he now? napping some where?
- Posted by SC_GOPRe: # 15-
Are you serious? “he doesn’t need the news media because [J]esus is spreading the word?” I…I can’t respond to that in a way that would adequately do that comment justice. I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not but man does the United States need help if that is the attitude concerning presidential politics.
- Posted by NasirGood riddence! “Amend the constitution” my butt!
- Posted by Barry McGowanHuckabee fans are by and large Evangelicals that have real power in the political field. They may prove to be all brawn and no brain if they continue to vote for Huckabee. He could possibly get the nomination, but what’s the point? Is there any way he could convince the majority of Americans to pick him over Clinton/Obama if he plans to “amend the Constitution to God’s standards?” No Way!
- Posted by MelissaFellow constituents,
Please, we are not voting for our local pastor. We are voting for the next President of the United States. I know Huckabee can speak very well and has a local Southern charm, but again we are not voting for our next pastor in our church. We should be more concerned about our economy and our future in the global world. If we lose our economy, the Chinese will be the ones telling us what to do in 10 years. I don’t want to lose our freedoms from China running things. I worry about people losing their jobs and ability to support themselves if the economy tanks as it is. Don’t take food from my kids table because you want a pastor. Please I beg you.
- Posted by DonRon Paul is the only true conservative in the race.
Also, he is the only person to understand that monetary policy is the most important issue in the campaign. Everyone can talk all the want and claim Paul doesn’t understand monetary policy, but such claims are ignorant.
Only Ron Paul will enable competing currencies which will preserve wealth in more than one way.
Competing currencies will enable private firms to offer Gold backed funds that are not subject to government whims to print money.
Everyone must understand two economic concepts:
1. scarcity. Money is valued because it is not unlimited. If you print more, then it must be worth less. We do not value air, but we do value gold.
2. unseen effects. All economic policies have effects that are not obvious. Pass a law to benefit the economy in a specific way and risk damaging it in a way that you do not predict. Or worse yet, damage the economy because you don’t listen to the people alerting you to potential dangers.
So with 1 and 2 above, what happens when the government prints more money? The first effect is that your dollar is now worth less! If you are saving money, then as soon as more currency is printed, the money you have saved is worth less! This massive unseen theft of wealth is what Ron Paul stands against. Every other candidate stands for more theft.
Do the math. Don’t be a pawn. Recognize that as a human you want to run with the majority. But on this issue the majority is completely clueless.
Justin
- Posted by JustinI wouldn’t call Huckabee a true conservative by the standards that the Republican party has traditionally set. Which is why I like him. All the attacks that the other candidates make, actually make him more appealing to me.
I’ve been a republican since I was allowed to vote. But maybe not for much longer. I am I’m tired of the biggoted corporate focus of the republican party. I’m tired of the rich getting richer off the backs of the poor. I am pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, and pro-worker (middle class and the poor). Huchabee is the ONLY republican candidate that fits this bill.
If any other republican gets the nomination I will cross party lines and vote with the democrats.
- Posted by Antoniowith thompson now out and news filtering that mccain believes in evolution. things are going to mix up again. here’s mccain admitting he believes in evolution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4Cc8t3Zd 5E&feature=related
- Posted by HoosiertideI’m a little concerned here! Pretty hard to be arbitrary if the person your writing about is paying your salary, directly or indirectly. I have always considered shows like GMA, Today and, well, CNN, MSNBC and the like to be receiving some kind of money, soft or hard for the stories they promote. I just did not know it went down to the campaigns themselves.
- Posted by DaveNow that the only conservative has left the race leaving only RINO’s there’s nothing left to do but inform you clowns of who you’ve chosen to remain;
Candidate Research - Know Who You’re Voting For ( The Easy Way ) http://tinyurl.com/2sowta
Bon Apetite!
- Posted by WinghunterDID ANYONE LISTEN WHEN MCCAIN SAID IT WAS FINE WITH HIM IF THE U.S. WAS IN THE MIDDLE EAST FOR 100 YEARS!
I think we have seen that the occupation without reason or exit plan strategy is BAD foreign policy. The only people who are happy with US occupation of other countries are the Halliburtons, the Exxons, the hedge funds … corrupt, greedy, self serving, corporations that care nothing about culture, society, or ethics.
Any candidate who supports the war and illegal occupation of countries is part of the problem. They are being manipulated by the corruption that has the US on path to ruin.
Even Rome fell.
- Posted by Jeremy KowalskiWe are motivated and rallied behind Governor Huckabee more than ever!! Governor Huckabee takes the stand for precious human life, morals, conservative views, re-budgeting his campaign for maximum potential, and continuing the strongest leadership!
We Like Mike!
I just donated another 100 bucks!
And its crazy, I have never donated to a candidate before! I think Governor Huckabee is worth our investment! Join me! This IS our country!
Dan Campbell
- Posted by Dan CampbellSgt., USMC
And then there were five…
Rudy must win FL and 50% of Super Tuesday just to attract any funding. And it’s not looking too good in FL or NY. And he’s still broke…
Mike is out of money, cutting the media adrift, and, well, too churchy to gather 35% of FL GOP, let alone NY or CA. And he’s still not looking like a national candidate.
John hasn’t had money since, well, ever. And still he keeps on…with a well-fed media tail. But, nobody confuses John with a conservative-fiscal or social.
Mitt can buy what he wants in relation to this field of candidates, even if Bloomberg decides to play. But, nobody confuses Mitt with a conservative-fiscal or social.
And then there is that pesky conservative, Ron. No special interest money flooding his coffers; only $3.3 million from 40,000+ citizens, in the first 22 days this year.
No national organization to guide citizens to his message of freedom, peace and prosperity; only individuals throughout the nation speaking with their friends, family, and strangers about this last gasp at liberty, both face-to-face and electronically.
And an active Old/New Media thought-control system designed to denigrate a message of peace and economic stability. ‘Cause let’s face it, media needs conflict to make money…even if they need to create it.
Ron Paul is pro-life, pro-Constitution, pro-balanced budget, pro-freedom, pro-peace; sounds conservative to me. Endorsed by Reagan in the ‘80s and by Goldwater in this century, and supported by hundreds of veterans today, this former USAF flight surgeon is a long-time defender of veteran benefits.
A man who has delivered more babies than all previous Presidents, combined, can handle pressure in my book. A man with a strategic vision that helps fiscal and social conservatives gain more control of their lives. OK, even liberals and the uncommitted can benefit…we’re all Americans here.
Just a simple conservative with a straight-forward message, that’s Dr. Ron Paul. Give him your vote to make a statement to Washington…and beyond. Everything else is just petty detail.
- Posted by Citizen LibertyLet’s see… You have…
The War Mongrel - McCain (Supporter of the War and all of the big businesses that make money from it)
The Moorman – Romney (Supports the war and the big business)
Wolf in Sheep Clothing – Huckabee (Supporter of the War and where in the Bible does it say strike out at your neighbor first? I must have missed that book) You shall know them by the seeds they sow
The Idiot – Giuliani (Pro-Choice, Pro Gay-Lesbian, enough said)
The American – Paul (Tells the truth even when it hurts. Doesn’t preach his faith but walks it! Is for the Americans and America First!)
The choice isn’t hard the more you look there is only one right choice. We as god’s people have been given the freedom to choose but we must look in to the heart of the man and not the clothing he wears and the persona he tries to portray. Just because some states they are a Christian doesn’t mean they have all the answers or that they are perfect.
- Posted by RodGovernor Huckabee has 2 million dollars on hand. He is wisely budgeting it. Governor Huckabee is not a foolish gambler willing to put everything in one place.
All it takes for us to get a President that is for us people of the United States is to vote and get our friends to go vote with us.
The foolish and wasteful spending done by the other candidates to dis-credit Governor Huckabee doesn’t make them a better choice. It makes them wasteful and careless.
We need someone who can budget and stand firm for what is right in America. The non-rich average guy and gal in America outnumber these rich power mongers 10,000 to one. All we have to do is go out and vote to make our voice heard.
Please, if you can donate to Mike Huckabee at is website even if it is only 10 bucks. Most of us have debit visa cards which are accepted. Lets unite together and make the choice for ourselves.
We need Mike!
Dan Campbell
- Posted by Dan CampbellSgt., USMC
Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee voters, please consider RON PAUL as your next choice. Fred’s out and Huckabee looks like he will be out very soon, as it seems that conservatives are unwilling to whip out their credit cards for the man.
Ron is by far the most conservative and traditional republican of the entire group of candidates, and is not ethically challenged like the others. McCain took money from a lobbyist thats now in jail, Romney’s policies sound more like Ted Kennedy’s, and Huckabee has had his own problems (caught with a hooker in 1996, paroled rapists and murderers, etc…)
Ron is the only man who can beat Obama/Hillary. He will take away their liberal voters, he will get all of the 3rd party voters, and will get the GOP vote since republicans nowadays rarely cross party lines when it comes to presidential elections. That is a formula for victory and financial solvency of the USA.
Let’s end this disastrous policy that has given us $3.00 gasoline, money thats only worth 50% of what it was in 1993, and 8 trillion in crushing debt that has already obligated our unborn children to pay off our debts.
Vote Ron Paul in 2008, because it matters.
- Posted by Rick Cain