Or at least this is frequently commented on by the Blitzers and Matthews of the punditry. As far as I can see the most obvious antipathy comes from Huckabee followed by McCain. Thompson seems to dish his shots pretty equally and I suspect he holds no special animus toward Romney. Giuliani looks about the same.
But to the extent that any of his rivals resent him, is it hard to understand why? The Mormon thing, particularly for Huckabee, is obvious. Dude is a credentialed minister in an organization that isn’t shy about publicly despising Mormonism. And McCain’s mother gave us all a brief senile glimpse at the prejudices that might lurk behind the scenes in that family. It doesn’t help that Mitt is frequently a bit stiff and that it all comes across sometimes as too polished.
But let’s get to the more primal, human issues at the core - Mitt Romney is better looking, richer, smarter and more successful than any of his rivals. And he has five equally attractive and normal sons, in contrast to Huckabee’s dog-hanging misanthropic freak of offspring. Every textbook provocation to jealous resentment is there in abundance. And that’s w/o Mormonism even entering the equation - but once that’s in the picture Mike Huckabee probably has fits of delight in hating Governor Romney.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
samson 01.21.08 at 2:49 pm
It’s unforgivable to be the best, especially among rivals for the same prize. We just hope the best is electable, because he is as close to perfect for the job as reality offers.
But upcHuck seems unduly happy to shill for McCain, even with the anti-Mormon factor at work. Apart from the petty jealousy factor, McCain and Huckabee are in all likelihood cutting a deal re the vice-presidency or a cabinet post.
Robert 01.21.08 at 3:01 pm
I was in the first fund raising meeting when Romney came to Las Vegas, someone asked him about the other candidates. Romney and former Governor Kenny Guinn spoke highly of Huckabee. Since then I have observed Romney taking the high road - stating his position and, when necessary, contrasting that to his opponents. I have not seen him denigrade other candidates by
personal insults and schrewd innuendos. Huckabee plants little statements he knows the press will grab onto and run with them, then act perfectly innocent as if he really didn’t know that much about Romney’s Mormonism. That tactic we have seen before, maybe it is something in the water in Hope, Arkansas. I have downgraded my opinion of the Huckster.