Huckabee to 'stay and play' in Iowa

By Todd Dorman - Globe Des Moines Bureau
Published June14, 2007

AMES — Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said Wednesday he’s confident GOP caucus-goers will take a good look at his campaign even as the media focuses on so-called front-runners.

The former Arkansas governor campaigned in Ames and Story City before officially opening his Des Moines campaign headquarters. He said the office is proof he plans “to stay and to play” in Iowa.

But Huckabee concedes he’s still looking for a way to break from a sizeable pack of lesser-known candidates.

“Accompanying Paris Hilton to jail might work,” Huckabee joked. He criticized the media’s coverage, or lack of coverage, of the presidential race.

“One of the things that is frustrating is there’s more attention on Britney Spears getting out of a car without underwear than who’s going to be the next president,” Huckabee told reporters.

And when the media does cover the race, Huckabee argues that it spends too much time focusing on so-called front-runners.

So far, that group includes former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

Huckabee argues that that early focus on cash-flush “celebrity” candidates will soon yield to a broader, tougher appraisal by actual Republican voters.

“People from around the country began realizing that we do have a choice,” Huckabee said “Our choices are not the three doors on Let’s Make a Deal, A, B and C. There are other doors.

“I think that’s when Republican voters become much more discriminating. And they’re going to be asking tougher questions,” Huckabee said.

Voters’ questions, Huckabee insisted, likely will be better than those asked during recent GOP primary debates.

Huckabee pointed out that the last three debates included no questions about education, and a recent New Hampshire forum included no questions on tax policy.

Huckabee’s calls for education and tax reform are centerpieces of his campaign.

Huckabee said he’s confident his hopes will rise in Iowa but he concedes the GOP’s August straw poll in Ames may not be much help. McCain and Giuliani are skipping the event, potentially reducing its importance on the road to January’s caucuses.

“If the straw poll changes substantially in its impact, importance and role in the process, then we’re not going to be irresponsible with our time and resources,” Huckabee said.

On Wednesday, Huckabee toured Advanced Analytical Technologies in Ames. The high-tech firm produces cutting-edge testing devices that help cosmetics and pharmaceutical companies, among others, test their products for bacterial contamination.

The steadily growing biotech company, which employs 28, has been called the “best-kept secret” in its industry, according to CEO Steven Lasky.

“Kind of like your candidacy,” Lasky joked to Huckabee.

* Todd Dorman can be reached at 515- 243-0138 or todd.dorman@lee.net.