How to speak Huckabee

As I watched Mike Huckabee's speech from Arkansas Tuesday night, I couldn't quite shake the feeling that he was speaking in some sort of code. Here's a little primer for you:

Tonight, we are making sure America understands that sometimes one small smooth stone is even more effective than a whole lot of armor."

The "small smooth stone" refers to the biblical story of David and Goliath. In Samuel 17:41, King Saul gives David, a slim youth, a suit of armor to wear into battle with Goliath, a beefy Philistine giant. David refuses the suit and instead brings five smooth stones from a stream and carries them in a satchel. The rest, you've probably heard something about.

Translation: I'm David and McRomney is Goliath.

And we've also seen that "The Widow's Mite" has more effectiveness than all the gold in the world."

The reference here is to Mark 12:41, when Jesus watches people in the marketplace making their donations to the synagogue. He witnesses the rich giving large amounts of gold, and a poor widow casting her last earnings—two gold coins—into the pot. Jesus declares that it was she who had given the most. 

Translation: My donors may not be the wealthiest, but I'll take 'em over McRomney's millionaires.

Not all of Huckabee's references were from the Bible, however:

Now, it's tough for this old Razorback to say things like 'Roll, tide roll,' but I'm doing it tonight. And it's tough for this old Razorback to look over there to the state just to the east of us and anticipate being able to say that we're too, Volunteers. I think before the night is over, I'll even be singing 'Rocky Top.' This old razorback may even catch some bulldog fever before the night is over. And we're going to forget all about the Cotton Bowl and even be grateful for our friends to the north before tonight night is over, I'm fully believing."

Huckabee is tapping the rich lexicon of southern college football to highlight his decisive win in Arkansas and herald his strong showings in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Missouri. He ultimately took home all of the above, save the Show Me state.

Translation:  I am from Arkansas, but I also won Alabama and probably took Tennesee, Georgia, and maybe even Missouri.

Editor's note: Thanks to those sharp-eyed readers who pointed out that David was Jessie's son, not Saul's.