Washington Post Op-Ed columnist David Broder writes about the Mike Huckabee for President campaign. In his column he notes,

Huckabee figures that if he can just get past Romney in New Hampshire, he can do the same thing to him when the 2008 battle shifts south to Florida and South Carolina in January.

The way to do that in New Hampshire may lie in the example of the Buchanan campaigns, which embarrassed George H.W. Bush in 1992 and defeated Bob Dole in the 1996 primary. Buchanan’s populist appeal caught those establishment candidates unawares.

Running at a time when seeming prosperity cloaked a growing sense of public frustration about imports, job losses and a shaky housing-banking market, Buchanan mobilized blue-collar Republicans and independents against the elitist candidates.

I can certainly appreciate all of the enthusiasm fo the Huckabee campaign, but let’s not forget some critical points.

* Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Fred Thompson skipped the Iowa Straw Poll. All three are still polling higher than Huckabee in Iowa. Taken together, Huckabee’s most likely sitting a very comfortable 5th there. Would he still be in the race if they had participated? While you might argue that it doesn’t matter, you have to consider whether Huckabee’s raising money as a result of an artificial bounce.

* Unlike Bill Clinton in 1992, Mike Huckabee doesn’t have the benefit of running against an Iowan in Iowa. Tom Harkin easily won the Iowa caucuses in 1992. He went on to drop out soon thereafter. Nevertheless, Bill Clinton didn’t have to deal with a “bump” by virtue of the fact that no one was going to win Iowa but Harkin. Couple that with the amount of time between the caucuses and the NH primary (there was signifcantly more time in 1992), and you have an entirely different political landscape in 2008 (see John Kerry, 2004).

* Like Pat Buchanan, Huckabee’s struggling to gain traction anywhere else. He trails Thompson in every southern state. If there’s an appropriate comparison to Bill Clinton circa 1992 it’s Fred Thompson 2008. He the most likely candidate at this stage to pick off Giuliani and McCain and finish second in New Hampshire. At this point Thompson’s already won South Carolina (the GOP primary is January 19th, a mere 5 days after Iowa). Thompson could very easily win Wyoming on January 22nd. He’ll then march to Florida where’s he’s polling very well and win. At that point, it might be over.

* Along those same lines, Mitt Romney my very well be the John Kerry of this political season. If he wins Iowa (and I’m confident he will) he may be too powerful to stop (although many Republicans will second guess him the same way Democrats second guessed John Kerry). Again, do not discount the incredibly short amount of time between the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.

Broder’s right about one thing: anything can happen. If Huckabee’s money starts coming in and he get up on TV in New Hampshire, he’ll have a fighting chance. He’s certainly stronger than McCain at this point. That in and of itself is remarkable.

Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont, my alma mater, ranks as the 5th best liberal arts college in America according to US News and World Report.

The top 10 for 2008 follows, and the letter “t” indicates a tie. Last year’s rankings are in parentheses.
1. Williams College, MA (1)
2. Amherst College, MA (2)
3. Swarthmore College, PA (3)
4. Wellesley College, MA (4)
5. (t) Carleton College, MN (6)
5. (t) Middlebury College (5)
7. (t) Bowdoin College, ME (7t)
7. (t) Pomona College, CA (7t)
9. Davidson College, NC (10)
10. Haverford College, PA (9)

Max Roach, a founder of modern jazz who rewrote the rules of drumming in the 1940’s and spent the rest of his career breaking musical barriers and defying listeners’ expectations, died early today in Manhattan. He was 83.

Roach played with Charlie Parker, Cecil Taylor, Anthony Braxton, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, among others. While Roach had been ill for several years, for lovers of jazz this is a sad moment. Here’s the NY Times obituary.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had conversations with several people, including law enforcement, civic leaders, community activities, and concerned citizens about the homeless problem in Little Rock. Based on those conversations (and by virtue of not seeing my conversations go anywhere) I’ve crafted some ideas about to how to address the problem. The hope here is to spark a community conversation about the issue. It is by no means an indictment of current policy. Read. Forward. Discuss.

Department of Housing and Community Renewal.
The Department of Housing and Community Renewal (”DHCR”) would be led by a Director appointed by the Mayor. The Director’s role would be to administer programs and projects related to housing including homelessness and urban renewal. This department would replace the current Housing and Neighborhood Programs department.

Project 1: A Facility for the Homeless.
Earlier this year, in conjunction with the 150th Anniversary of the American Institute of Architects, several designers collaborated with policy professional to design a facility that would meet the everyday needs of the homeless. Such a facility, located in a convenient area, would integrate services often needed by the homeless, including: internet, telephone, laundry, storage, bathing, educational, and medical services as well as jobs programs and money management training. Integrating these services under one roof makes it far more likely that a homeless person can find a permanent way out of poverty.

Program 1: Housing Trust Fund.
In order to help people transition into permanent housing, Little Rock should develop a Housing Trust Fund (”HTF”). The HTF is a general fund that administers grants to those in need. Under this program, an individual or non-profit could apply for funds to assist with paying security deposits, moving expenses, back rent, or, in the case of the non-profit, rehabilitating properties, maintenance and upkeep. Currently,Homebuyer Assistance Grants, available through the City, only address the needs of low income people who want to purchase a home. The cap on the grants is $1,500. Additionally, the “Save-a-Home” program allows only for the City to purchase and refurbish a home. It does not allow for funds to be administered to non-profits who can leverage those funds to accomplish more. The Housing Trust Fund would meet these needs.

Program 2: Homeless Advocate Program.
The Homeless Advocate Program, administered by the DHCR, would provide a bridge between landlords and the homeless. The homeless advocate would work with the landlord to solve problems such as poor credit history.

Program 3: Targeted Job Training.
Unfortunately, providing low income housing is futile unless we ensure that there are job training opportunities available so that people can earn enough money to be able to pay their rent and other expenses. As such, the DHCR, inconjunction with AEDC , Ark. Dept. of Workforce Services and the Ark. Workforce Investment Board, together with area high schools, community colleges and vocational schools should launch a training initiative should develop job training programs and curriculum associated with targeted industries where jobs are in demand.

Program 4: Transitional Liaison.
Once people have been able to transition into full-time housing, we must have an infrastructure in place that ensures the availability of medical services and ongoing job training. Therefore,DHUR should create a Transitional Liaison who assists those in their first two years in permanent housing with making the transition as easy as possible.

Project 2: More Affordable Housing.
Little Rock needs to build more affordable housing in concentrated areas (i.e. downtown) so that those at or below the poverty level have an affordable place to live. Currently, Little Rock only utilizes HOME grants, administered pursuant to the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990. While the overwhelming growth, particularly in downtown has proved to be an economic engine for the area, there has been very little investment in low-income or subsidized housing in the eastern part of the city.

Program 1: Housing Development Fund.
The housing Development Fund (”HDF”) is a revolving fund that would provide loans to non-profit organizations to build low income housing. For example, the loans could be used forpre-development costs, site acquisition, construction/ rehabilitation financing, or other mortgageable project development costs.

Program 2: Preserve Our Neighborhoods.
Simply demanding that neighborhoods look out for themselves is an irresponsible and naieve approach to neighborhood preservation. Some of Little Rock’s most historic neighborhoods are crumbling. Take, for example, the Central High neighborhood. Once a thriving community, it’s complexion has been neglected for decades. Low income neighborhoods need help far more than neighborhoods like the Heights and Hillcrest (where I and my family live). You can look no further than the “Heights Promendade”, a sidewalk project which included an absurd Parthenon-esque structure. Sidewalks are good, cheap greek columns are not.

Little Rock should develop a “Preserve Our Neighborhoods” program that provides financial support to non-profit entities thatenagage in any of the following: home buyer counseling, tenant counseling, landlord/tenant mediation, neighborhood rehabilitation and renewal, crime watch programs, employment programs and legal assistance.

Democrats
Hillary Clinton - 40%
Barack Obama - 20%
John Edwards - 16%
Bill Richardson - 9%

Republicans
Rudy Giuliani - 34%
Fred Thompson - 18%
Mitt Romney - 10%
John McCain - 8%

Source: Politicalwire

One day after Little Rock residents voted overwhelmingly to give Mayor Mark Stodola more money and more power, there appears to be some concern among those living south of I-630.  Today’s Arkansas Democrat Gazette quotes one city leader about the state of the city: “I’ve never seen it like this,” said at-large City Director Joan Adcock, one of four board members who opposed calling the election. “Right now we do have a city that is divided.”   KATV’s Kristin Fisher filed a report that quotes Mayor Stodola about the relationship between the Mayor and City Manager Bruce Moore, both of whom will make $160,000 each if the lawsuit challenging the constitionality of the measures fails, “(Mayor Mark Stodola, Little Rock) “I think that the issue of accountability in crafting a vision and working on those big picture issues is really what the mayor’s job is. And the day-to-day administration of the city will continue to be handled by Bruce.””  Interestingly, in the same story former mayor Jim Daily observes, “There’s no question about who’s in charge. The mayor is clearly the chief executive. In that, he is the one that will have the authority to hire and or fire the city manager and the city attorney.”  Says radio personaility Pat Lynch, an outspoken critic of the measures (and one of the only people contributing to a dialogue on the matter) said on his blog, “The people have spoken and my heart is troubled for the those whose neighborhoods will surfer at the hands of special interests who always get their way in land use decisions.”

Washington Post columnist David Broder sat down with Fred Thompson to talk about his anticipated entry into the presidential race.  Notes Broder, “When Fred Thompson makes his long-delayed entrance into the Republican presidential race, he will not tiptoe quietly. Instead, he will try to shake up the establishment candidates of both parties by depicting a nation in peril from fiscal and security threats — and prescribing tough cures that he says others shrink from offering.” 

According to The Hill, the lower tax group Club for Growth has launched a tough television ad attacking Mike Huckabee.

“There once was a governor from Hope, Arkansas, who raised taxes like there’s no tomorrow,” begins the ad, which finishes with: “Who is that tax-and-spend liberal governor from Arkansas? Bill Clinton? No. It’s Mike Huckabee. Tell Mike Huckabee to give lower taxes a try.”

“The Huckabee attack ad is very powerful with Republicans,” Tyler Harber, political director at Wilson Research Strategies said. “Clearly, this ad could have a significant impact on the race for the presidential nomination should Huckabee’s strong Ames [Iowa] straw poll performance raise his profile enough to matter.”

Democrats
Hillary Clinton - 37%
Barack Obama - 22%
John Edwards - 14%
Bill Richardson - 9%
Republicans
Mitt Romney - 32%
Rudy Giuliani - 20%
John McCain - 11%
Fred Thompson - 11%

From Rasmussen Reports.

From Public Policy Polling Survey

Democrats
Hillary Clinton - 36%
Barack Obama - 33%
John Edwards - 12%

Republicans
Fred Thompson - 22%
Rudy Giuliani - 18%
Mitt Romney - 17%
John McCain - 11%
Mike Huckabee - 7%

Former State Rep. Joyce Elliott announced that she will challenge incumbent Senator Irma Hunter Brown reports Steve Harrelson on his Under the Dome blog. Brown became the first African-American woman eleted to the Arkansas House of Representatives and the first African-American woman elected to the Arkansas Senate.

As I predicted last week, State Rep. Marylin Edwards announced yeserday that she would run for County Judge in Washington County. She is term-liminted in the House. County Judge Jerry Hunton has not made a decision whether to seek another term, although information out of NW Arkansas is that he won’t.

In a very smart move, Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign has named Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel one of her co-chairs of her Arkansas campaign, reports the Associated Press. McDaniel is a popular and effective leader who understands how to win Arkansas. His recent campaign experience should prove to be quite valuable.

The AP also notes that another co-chair will be announced later. Dare we speculate?

Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will visit Arkansas on Monday for a series of visits. She’ll begin in Fayetteville at the home of Jim Hatfield and Suzie Stephens for a $1,000 lunch or a $2,300 VIP reception. After that, she’ll travel to Little Rock for a 4:00 meeting with state legislators organizaed by state campaign co-chairman Attorney General Dustin McDaniel. After the meeting, she will head to the Little Rock ZOO for a “Happy Hour” at Cafe Africa beginning at 5:00 (tickets for this are $100 per person, $150 per couple, and $500 for VIP). Following that event, she’ll attend a $2,300 per person VIP reception at the home of Max Mehlburger and Kaki Hockersmith at 7:00 followed by a $1,000 cocktail reception at 7:45.