MIKE HUCKABEE IS DECISIVE WINNER OF GOP PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
Former Arkansas Governor is Tied for Third Place Among Declared Candidates
Des Moines, IA – Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee came out as the obvious winner in today's Iowa Republican debate in Des Moines, Iowa, according to news reports. The victory comes on the heels of Huckabee's strong showing in the latest ABC News-Washington Post telephone poll of 402 likely caucus-goers (conducted July 26-31). The new poll places Huckabee in a tie for third place among declared candidates – and gaining momentum.
The campaign welcomed the good news, which comes in the final week before the August 11th Ames Straw Poll. "Iowa voters saw Mike Huckabee define himself again today as a candidate with executive experience and a message focused on a strong, safe, economically vibrant America . He has what it takes to restore America's greatness," said Bob Vander Plaats, who chairs Huckabee's campaign in Iowa .
According to ABC News and the Washington Post, Huckabee did particularly well, also placing third for his understanding of the problems, likeability and being close to voters on the issues. The survey has a margin of 5 percentage points. He also is an appealing candidate to Evangelicals, placing second at 17 percent, followed by Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani and John McCain.
"Americans, and in particular, Iowans, are having a chance to see that Gov. Huckabee's message is right on target on Iraq, health care, national infrastructure and other vital issues of importance to our country," said Campaign Manager Chip Saltsman, who noted that Huckabee returned to Iowa on Aug. 1 and will campaign extensively around the state through the Aug. 11 straw poll.
On the issue of Iraq, Huckabee told ABC host George Stephanopoulos there is a successful compromise in the debate over staying in or pulling out of Iraq . "Certainly there's a middle ground George. And the middle ground is that we win this war and we do it with honor," Huckabee said. "We don't just stay indefinitely. We put some pressure – just like we have been the last week, with Secretary Rice and Secretary Gates – on the Saudis."
Huckabee said the Iraqi people need to take on more military and financial responsibility for themselves, and America need to end its dependence on foreign oil. "If we can feed ourselves, if we can fuel ourselves, if we can manufacture the weapons to fight for ourselves, we're a free people. If we can't do those three things, we're not free," Huckabee said to a round of applause.
In the area of health care, Huckabee stressed the need to focus on prevention rather than intervention.
"You know, if you want to know how to fix it, I've got a solution. Either give every American the same kind of health care that Congress has, or make Congress have the same kind of health care that every American has," Huckabee said.
Huckabee said "it's time for a major overhaul of our tax system" and urged others to support the Fair Tax.
"The reality is, if we could have the fair tax, you take $10 trillion parked offshore, bring it home, you rebuild the 'made in America' brand, you free up people to earn money, to work, you don't penalize them for taking a second job, you don't penalize them for investing, you don't penalize them for savings," Huckabee said.
"As Gov. Huckabee travels across Iowa , his message is connecting with the people," Saltsman said. "This poll shows that his momentum is growing and we expect that to continue in the weeks and months to come."
