Huckabee Stars as GOP Stumbles

Where Brownback was plodding and humorless, Huckabee was ambitious, fresh and amusing. He explained how he had lost 110 pounds, then set about transforming the health of the people in his state. Smoking is big in the South, so it is especially impressive that he got the Arkansas state legislature to ban all smoking in public places and workplaces. "It's a work place safety issue, not just about bars and restaurants," Huckabee noted. He also eliminated co-payments for colonoscopies, prostate tests and other screening, arguing that early detection will save the state billions. Considering that most states still don't require insurance companies to even cover colonoscopies—about the most pound-foolish policy imaginable—that's a real accomplishment.

Huckabee has a way of explaining things in ways people can relate to, and he received the most laughs and applause of the whole event. For example: "People today aren't eating food, they're eating 'food products'. You're better off throwing away the contents and eating the packaging. At least the cardboard has fiber."

He's also the only candidate in either party who introduces truly fresh ideas I've never heard before. Some months ago, he launched the idea of federal funding for art and music programs, which he rightly says are necessary to help the U.S. keep its creative edge in global competition. And today Huckabee talked about a food-stamp program that would offer financial incentives for healthy choices, so that a dollar in food stamps would buy $1.25 worth of fruit and vegetables but only 75 cents worth of junk food. Worth a try.

Overall, Lance Armstrong and his foundation got something important going this week—a real conversation on cancer and health. Now it's up to the candidates, the media and the public to keep it going.

© 2007