Thursday, September 06, 2007 - FreeMarketNews.com
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/CNN_Seeks_Ron_Paul_Huckabee_Debate_2/shareAfter the recent FoxTV-managed GOP debate fireworks in New Hampshire, CNN is actively seeking to set up an "immediate" further debate between Ron Paul (R-Tex) and former governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee (AR). Huckabee has already accepted, certain presidential campaign observers say. And these sources add that the Ron Paul’s campaign is close to accepting as well, if the head-to-head discussion is not treated as a “sound bite” and lasts longer than a few minutes. It is not clear who would moderate such an exchange.
Ron Paul and Huckabee had a sharp exchange of words over the Iraq war during the recent GOP debate, with Ron Paul insisting, as he has throughout his campaign, that the war was a failed policy and that the troops ought to be withdrawn. Huckabee retorted that for the “honor” of the United States, the war must continue. Huckabee’s campaign manager Chip Saltsman said of the exchange: "Governor Huckabee clearly had a break-out moment during his exchange with Congressman Ron Paul during [the] debate - which illuminated his leadership qualities, experience, dedication to principle, and vision for a unified America.”
Saltsman's opinion was echoed by some who seemed - following the debate - to give Huckabee the victory; however several GOP debate polls showed that Ron Paul won the overall debate handily, including Fox’s own cell-text poll. Ron Paul is a classical conservative in the Jeffersonian tradition and does not believe in aggressive military confrontations overseas without strong provocation. He hews to the minimalist tradition of government. His views have seen increasing mainstream acceptance during the nascent presidential campaign and his fund-raising continues to strengthen.
Close observers of the current campaign scene said that it is apparent that Huckabee is running out of money and was looking for a confrontation such as the one that developed in the hopes of raising his profile – and additional cash. These sources add that Huckabee has apparently adopted the strongly pro-war line of presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani in the hopes of being considered as a vice-presidential running mate for Giuliani. The mainstream press currently considers Giuliani to be the current Republican front-runner.
