Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Chuck Norris Endorses Huckabee; Fred Nabs RTL

Action star Chuck Norris (can he still be considered an action star?) endorsed Mike Huckabee for President today.

"Mike hasn't lived an isolated, out-of-touch life like so many politicians. He was raised by his Dad who was a firefighter and always had a second job to make ends meet. Mike and his sister grew up poor, not privileged. Mike worked two jobs in college and graduated in two-and-a-half years. He is an outdoorsman too – an avid fisherman, hunter and a long-time member of the NRA," Norris wrote in a fundraising plea to supporters today.

Meanwhile, Fred Thompson, who has been sagging in recent state and national polls, picked up a much needed endorsement from National Right to Life.

"As the first major grassroots organization to enter the Republican presidential race, National Right to Life is proud to endorse Fred Thompson," said Wanda Franz, Ph.D., president of National Right to Life. "Our endorsement is a testament to Senator Thompson's long-standing pro-life record, his commitment to unborn children, and our belief in his ability to win."

So how do these developments shake up the Republican race?

The Norris endorsement probably doesn't mean as much unless you're a Walker, Texas Ranger fan.

On the other hand, Huckabee's movement in Iowa is something to watch.

The Washington Post writes that Huckabee is moving more staff and resources to Iowa, and is getting more accustomed to being attacked.

"Suddenly, I seem to be in the cross hairs of every predator who is out there," Huckabee told the Times. "As a hunter, I know that a good hunter never aims his gun at a dead carcass. You only point it at something you want to put on the wall as a trophy."

Marc Ambinder of Atlantic.com contemplates Right to Life's gamble on Thompson. "Duncan Hunter can't win; Mike Huckabee is too independent and allegedly alienates fiscal conservatives; Mitt Romney is going to be beaten and the abortion policies of his Mass. health care plan are a problem; Thompson will win in the South," writes Ambinder on the political calculation.

Maybe they also read Salon.com's darker portrayal of Mike Huckabee, that hasn't hit the mainstream press . . . at least yet.

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