Great Huck spot for Michigan

I'm a Huck supporter, but that said I thought the ad was phenomenal. I also think you are right on about identities. I might phrase it differently though, in that I would talk about one having different facets or aspects to one's identity. Otherwise it sounds like one's just trotting out new identities to please people, whereas what I think Huck (and most other candidates, for that matter) are doing is emphasizing relevant parts of his identity and program relevant to the context he finds himself in at a given time.

I'm not a Huckabee supporter, but that hits all the right buttons for Michigan. Except one--the parting shot at Romney. Like I said in the other Michigan thread, the Romney name remains a good one in these parts, and it could backfire easily.

Re: identity. I think the problem is one that afflicts born-again/evangelical Christians more than other observant Christians. People have experiences with the newly-devout in their monomania phase where the latter resemble walking infomercials for Jesus. Regular-guy and gal-ism is the best cure.

The last line about Romney laying people off might be the line that ends Romney's candidacy. It's devastating and accurate and appropriate in Michigan.

The reason that Huckabee has to put that "I cut taxes" thing in tht add is that the Club for Growth or as I call it "the Club that only rubns against ads against Huckabee" is relesing a new ad up there

Joel,

The fact that your default explanation for differences in political opinions is to think the other person is stupid, speaks volumes about your own intellect and self-awareness.

Eric, that's not going to happen, he's a Southern Baptist!

Michele - I know that. I was just joking (sort of). Southern Baptists don't drink. However, if they're deacons, they can go outside during or after church and smoke cigarettes. And if they're in town for a convention, the prostitutes know that their income will go up, as the local news said the ladies in Kansas City made known when the SBs came to town. :)

I'm from Michigan. I've seen this ad several times. It's well done but the question I have is who is the intended audience? Conservative Republicans? I don't think so. I think it's conservative Democrats. He's looking for the blue-collar conservative Democrat not conservative Republicans. I've asked both my father-in-law (a staunch Baptist) and my dad (a staunch Catholic) about Huckabee. Neither one likes him. My FIL is a retired auto guy and has been for life and my dad is a retired Merrill Lynch stock broker. They both see him as too much of a Jimmy Carter. This ad doesn't work in our "struggling" state because when you watch it you think he wants to spend our money. Roads cost money. Health care costs money. The fact that he cut taxes is an asterisk because all politicians say they cut taxes so it's virtually meaningless.

The ad is anti-Romney but voters here don't care what their President looks like, much less the fact that he looks like a guy we work with. If the only thing that distinguishes him from Romney is what he looks like, that isn't much of a selling feature. That's why I think this ad is directed at blue collar democrats. It's a nice ad but it isn't persuasive. I was always anti-Huckabee but for my in-laws and my parents, this ad doesn't move them at all.

By the way, their is a huge rally on Saturday that is featuring Romney, McCain, Paul (via satellite), and John Stossel of 20/20 along with a host of other Michigan conservatives. Last word is Huckabee isn't coming. Another interesting development our state homeschool leader came out against Huckabee and for Romney. Not sure how that is going to play out, but it is showing that Huckabee's support among evangelicals is a little different than in other states.