Economics
Mike Huckabee: A Colloquial, Clever Appeal to the Working Class
Analyzing the style, substance, and impact of the former Arkansas governor's presidential announcement.
Mike Huckabee announces his presidential campaign on May 5, 2015, in Hope, Ark.
Photographer: Luke Sharrett/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Style: Still playing the Hope and humble origin cards without hesitation. Offered up a smoothly told biography, aided by a TelePrompTer and a nicely written text. Put populist economics front and center. Jabbed at Jeb: “I grew up blue collar; not blue blood.”
Substance: Called for better treatment of veterans, criticized Obama administration policies across the board, and denounced runaway judges, Saudi sheiks, and Russian thugs. Called for term limits, a new tax code based on consumption, and the preservation of Social Security, all with details to come.