Huck to Fred: Let's debate

Posted: Friday, September 07, 2007 2:22 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Mark Murray
Per his campaign, Mike Huckabee today sent a letter to Fred Thompson, inviting the former Tennessee senator to debate. "I am aware of your comments on Fox News that you would like to participate in a series of Lincoln-Douglas styled debates. I would like to officially accept your offer," Huckabee says in the letter. "I agree that what is needed is a real discussion by the candidates about their vision for the future of our country."

"Senator, let's lead by example and get the ball rolling," Huckabee adds.

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Comments

That should be interesting. Give Hope a 2nd chance :-)
Throw Duncan Hunter in for fun, and let's see what happens. Get Brian Lamb to moderate, and post in on c-spans web site.

Dave, Tn (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 2:55 PM)

I'm not a Republican and I don't agree with Huckabee on a lot of issues, but there is just something about him I like. I'm all for anyone who wants to have a serious, substantive debate. I won't vote for him, but I respect him for wanting to lead by example, as he put it.

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 3:02 PM)

And what would be the point of this debate? To see which one could better continue the shrubco disaster.

PJ (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 3:10 PM)

Start the debate with the following question: Should college students be allowed to carry guns on campus ( Fred's already stated position)? And then ask 'em if it'd be ok to carry those guns to fraternity parties and football games, and campus sports complexes, and to the Dean's office et. etc. and if not, why not??? Should get interesting! How about carrying guns and making sure everyone is armed at the Republican Convention? Heck, why not?!

R.Merrell (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 3:13 PM)

I like this idea.. hopefully fred will accept.
Huckabee at least has the fortitude to debate the issues rather than having a group of scripters and thinkers to tell him what to say.

jt, okc ok (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 3:16 PM)

What a great idea! I like these two candidates. What about a Thompson/Huckabee ticket? Newt Gingrich had voiced this idea many months ago.

I would like to see Democratic candidates do the same one on one debates. How about Clinton/Obama debate too? No more bumpber sticker politics-just calm and clear conversation.

Rose Anne Howlett, OKC, Oklahoma (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 3:20 PM)

You lose major points for saying "shrubco".

DaveS, Florida (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 3:20 PM)

It really is awesome. Brilliant move by Huckabee, honestly.

Btw, a full press release is up on the Mike Huckabee site now.

It's a lose-lose for Fred, isn't it? He'd never be able to beat Huckabee in a real debate, but he'll be seen as too scared (or lazy) by turning down yet another debate — and this one on his own terms. Ouch, Fred. Ouch.

Joe Steinbeck, Portland, OR (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 3:38 PM)

Mike Huckabee is the greatest threat to Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney. Huckabee is a more credible conservative than Romney, and Huckabee is a more proven candidate than Thompson.

I hope Thompson accepts this challenge from Huckabee because I think it would inspire some of the other candidates to mix it up a little and have debates of their own.

Given the strength of his performances in all the debates so far, Huckabee must be taken seriously. People talk about him as being a strong VP choice, but I think he has the demeanor, the courage, and the presence to actually win the nomination. Democrats should be very afraid of this candidate.

Read more of my analysis of the recent debate at:

http://theseventen.blogspot.com/2007/09/new-hampshire-debate-analysis-r.html

Anthony Palmer (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 3:45 PM)

Carrie, I'm guessing a lot of people share your view about Huckabee. He had a good debate and his stock is rising, I think.

Personally I thought Ron Paul handed him his hat, in terms of who was right - but assuming most Republicans don't agree with Paul's arguments, then they'll like Huckabee's counters to them.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 4:06 PM)

Obviously, such a debate would benefit Huckabee (generally good at debates), and show just exactly what a phony Fred is. I hope he accepts; it'd likely change the 1st tier GOP considerably. Like Carrie, I disagree with Huck on a lot of important issues, but he seems like an honest man.

Finally, after watching SE7EN last night, does anybody else think he looks and sounds just like Kevin Spacey?

Nicholas, Minneaps, MN (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 4:25 PM)

Mike Huckabee is awesome

Josh (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 4:27 PM)

We just don't have enough debates. What is it, only about 86 so far this summer? Not going to be able to catch up.

Phil Mickelson, San Diego CA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 4:30 PM)

I'd love to see it, and a lot more one-on-ones. A smart broadcaster could sponsor a whole series, and maybe we'd get a more substantive campaign on the GOP side (it'd be great on the Dem side too, but will never happen).

Bruce, NV (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 4:34 PM)

Oh! that will be interesting...a Christian pragmatist versus a secular pragmatist. The one major difference between the two are their opinions on the amount of additional socialist programs which should be installed in the federal government.

Kevin (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 4:39 PM)

Okay, maybe this sounds silly...but I don't know about President Huckabee. It reminds me of the dog from the cartoons...what was his name? Huckleberry something or other? :)

Carrie, Eastern Iowa (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 4:40 PM)

THOMPSON/HUCKABEE 08! my dream ticket!!!!

bertha j (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 4:45 PM)

Huckabee is the real deal. Btw, this Huckabee supporter blog has all the info (the letter, press release, etc...) and seems to have broken it on the blogosphere:

http://ihearthuckabee.blogspot.com

Good stuff.

Joe Steinbeck (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 4:56 PM)

Absolutely brilliant.

This guy really knows what he's doing. Now he just needs some money to do it.

Jon, Alexandria, VA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 5:04 PM)

Mike Huckabee is the only candidate who has been steadily rising in the polls. All of the other candidates, both Republicans and Democracts, have been static in the polls. I don't know if he has the time to catch up to the front runners but he is the dark horse candidate to keep an eye on. At this point in time I don't see how the Democracts are going to be successful in the general election because of their stance on Iraq. So it appears to me that the next President will be the Republican who can pull in moderate Democracts and independent voters. Mike Huckabee may just be the candidate who can accomplish this goal. At the very least he will be part of the team. Also, and I may be wrong about this, but did John McCain and Mike Huckabee join forces during this weeks debate. Could this be the Republican team that wins the White House.

William, Little Rock, Ar. (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 6:04 PM)

Huckabee is dangerous as the darkhorse. I think he could beat Thompson in a debate.

Bob, Milwaukee WI (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 8:13 PM)

Fred, if you debate him you're toast. The only reason you get any support is because you look like the classic, southern, white, male, Christian conservative. But Huckabee actually is all of those things. The more that people see it, the better he does in Republican contests, hence his second place showing in the Iowa straw poll with no money.

If you give Huckabee a one-on-one debate and let him show the world that he really is the southern, white, male, Christian conservative that you simply appear to be, he will take all of your support and get the nomination. Your campaign will be over before it starts.

Darrius, Arkansas (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 8:30 PM)

Does Phred see himself as Lincoln or Douglas?

nuanced (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 8:44 PM)

Based on history, Fred will be a no show, or maybe he will decide to do it another 3 for 4 months from now.
If you're the "true conservative" what do you have to
hide Fred. Huckabee will embarrass him in a debate and Fred knows it.

Frank Jasper, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, September 07, 2007 11:21 PM)

Prediction: Thompson accepts, but arrangements bog down when he holds out for the "Lincoln" role.

RonK, Seattle, WA (Sent Saturday, September 08, 2007 12:51 PM)

To each his own, but I think the best debate would be one between the two wives. Love to see Jeri Dear
unsheathe her well known claws publicly. Janet seems intelligent and decent. The Huckabees have actually been married for 33 years, a far cry from the marital situation of other Republicans who will remain unnamed

I urge all Democrats to go to the "I heart Huckabee" link above to sign on to a letter urging Fred to accept. I think Fred mightlose at least a few points
in the polls if anyone is watching.

I'm a Yellow Dog Dem, but I was still impressed with Huckabee's rational and truly Compassionate Christian stand towards the illegals, especially the children, while he was Governor. Hope he hasn't backtracked on that position.

Nick Dorsey (Sent Sunday, September 09, 2007 2:32 PM)

I believe Christians across the country need to take a serious look at Mike Huckabee. Mr. Huckabee will bring integrity, honesty, and the principles that our founding fathers established back to the White House. America was founded on Christian principles and that is the type leader America needs again to restore America. Mr. Huckabee can debate and hold his own with anyone. My vote is for Mr. Huckabee for President.

Harry Komprood; Russellville Arkansas (Sent Monday, September 10, 2007 3:11 PM)

Harry K. I took a look, and I like was I see. I've been aroung politics 30 yrs and I have never known of another politician more qualified. I have never known of another politician, and his wife, who have done more good for others for the sake of doing good. They are inspiring. Our nation needs inspiration. We have some rough days still ahead of us. The next president will inherit a nation in war and in debt with serious job shortage and a flailing housing market. That's a lot on one plate. If that were all, it would be a lot, but there is so much more. I believe Mike Huckabee has the foundation and the vision our next president will need. I pray GOD will bless our nation with this man's leadership and guidance.

Mick (Sent Friday, September 14, 2007 6:52 AM)

Huckulberry was schooled on non-interventionist foreign policy by Ron Paul in the last debate...easy for a chickenhawk like Huckleberry to talk about 'honor' when he wants to send other people's sons to die in Iraq.
Ron Paul is the only conservative in the race, and I'm waiting for a comparison of 3rd quarter fund raising between Paul and Huckleberry...if you want a one-on-one debate, bring Huck to Paul for another spanking.

tom davis (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 4:56 PM)

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