Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

First Read and Marc Ambinder have detailed information on the independent group, Trust Huckabee, that is making positive/negative phone calls in Iowa. They are a subsidiary of a group called Common Sense Issues, a 501(c)4. They have a history of getting involved in primaries and going on the offensive for their favored candidates. Most importantly, they are not bound by campaign finance limits and can raise unlimited amounts of money from individuals.

One of my regular readers points to the denouncement by both Mike Huckabee and his campaign manager. However, this could actually be Huckabee's secret weapon. A denouncement doesn't change the fact that money is still being spent in Iowa in the name of Huckabee. The group also didn't rule out the possibility of running advertisements or doing mailers in the future, and the negative robo calls are doing an effective, albeit crude, job in getting out important information. It also allows Huckabee's camp to use more money for television advertising since the robo work is already being covered.

This tactic is employed by the DSCC and NRSC during general elections. Since it's illegal for the independent groups and campaigns to coordinate, the candidates are allowed a degree of plausible deniability while still being the beneficiary of the dirty work.