It is sort of bizarre... Huckabee himself is remaining positive, while using his surrogates to go negative.
This is classic for people trying to run a positive campaign. Unfortunately, if you do not at least attempt to show some "bite" in modern politics, you are in essence giving a green light to your competitors to keep attacking. And in some cases, it's the only way to respond to some allegations lobbied towards you. That way, if something goes afoul, the candidate can scold the surrogate and maintain a distance from the controversy.
I know that's classic... but having a washed up TV actor being your main surrogate is, um, "original".
