Throughout the primary election season, Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee have made different — and often rival — bets on candidates in a wide variety of races. It’s a happenstance that has some Republicans wondering if there is more to the rivalry than meets the eye, since the two former governors share a similar ideological space within the party.
Both camps downplay the idea that there is a low-intensity conflict taking place and deny that any animosity exists. Publicly, the two rarely talk about each other.
Still, it’s hard not to notice how frequently the two outside-the-establishment presidential prospects have lined up against each other this year.
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Bob Vander Plaats, who was endorsed by Huckabee in the Iowa governor’s race, told POLITICO that he was shocked when Palin endorsed former Gov. Terry Branstad, the eventual winner.
“Our campaign, myself included, was more than a bit surprised that Sarah would endorse Branstad,” said Vander Plaats, a favorite among Iowa’s grass-roots conservatives. “If she prided herself in going rogue and endorsing the conservative candidate or tea party candidate, we just didn’t see Branstad fitting that mold at all.”
“Was she doing that because Huckabee endorsed me? Did she do that because a poll showed Branstad winning in Iowa?” asked the still-puzzled former gubernatorial candidate. “She seems to be all over the board. I think Huckabee has shown a lot of consistency in his endorsements.”
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“There are several occasions where Gov. Huckabee and Gov. Palin endorse different candidates and many where they endorse the same candidate — that’s just politics,” [HuckPAC director, Hogan] Gidley said. “Whether front-runner, underdog or somewhere in between, it makes no difference. HuckPAC supports conservative Republicans who are passionate advocates for human life, tax reform, a strong national defense, real border security, the family, less government and individual liberty.”
Huckabee isn’t completely unaware of his overlapping constituency with Palin. When Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) selected Palin as his running mate, the former Arkansas governor publicly made a point of noting their similar profiles.
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Asked about Huckabee’s past comments regarding Palin, Gidley said that “the media often take Gov. Huckabee’s comments out of context, and there is no conflict with Gov. Palin.”
“In fact, Gov. Huckabee has said repeatedly — even in interviews documented by POLITICO — he personally likes Gov. Palin and what her popularity brings to the Republican Party,” Gidley added. “Any perceived animosity or feud is a fabrication of the media.”
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Thank you, Alex, for the even tone of your blogging and reporting. Particularly in this article, I appreciated that you are able to point out some differences between conservative candidates without demonizing any one of them.
ReplyDeleteWith the seriousness of the threat we are facing, with the most liberal element of the Democrat party in the current administration, many concerned Americans have become awakened to the need for political action, in addition to prayers for our country. Our survival as a free, people-based republic is threatened as the tipping point of socialism nears. Nearly 50% of our populace is on some sort of government dole.
Therefore, I believe it is more important than ever that we not let the far left divide our ranks. We can't let this political process descend into a Republican split or conservatives fighting one another over who has the most power and who is the most popular. Tea Party or not. Endorsements or not.
Conservatives will need to come together to win, respect one another, and appeal to the American people on the issues that are vital to the interests of freedom and the prosperity and security of the United States of America. And, the most important thing we can do is to pray for God to show us our sins and to forgive us. Then, and only then, can we expect Him to bless this nation.