Two 2012 stories today deserve a mention. Both involve, directly or indirectly, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who may run for president in 2012. The first is Huckabee’s attack, via his PAC website, on Indiana governor Mitch Daniels. In an interview with THE WEEKLY STANDARD, Daniels called for a “truce” on social issues in order to focus on the nation’s finances. Understandably, his words have caused some worry among social conservatives who, despite the rise of the Tea Party, remain the core of the Republican party. Here’s Huckabee:
It’s unknown whether Huckabee is going to run for president. He likes his TV show. Traveling the speaking circuit is lucrative. Nonetheless, his statement implies a continued interest in presidential-level politics.
Which is one more reason to ignore this Des Moines Register poll. The survey tested the favorability of some prominent Republicans who may run for president. But, as a guide to future events, it tells us zilch. Not only is the 2012 cycle aeons away in political time, the poll also left out Huckabee–the same guy who won Iowa in 2008! Up until November 2011, early polls will tell us nothing except how many people recognize the name of the candidates in the survey. As I learned while following Rudy Giuliani’s 2008 campaign, early polls are meaningless.
