Interesting numbers from Rasmussen today that confound conventional wisdom: Among CONSERVATIVES, Huckabee is actually the national leader (27% to 19% over Romney). However, among moderates, he is way down with McCain leading Romney 29% to 18%. It may appear that Huckabee's pro-life, pro-marriage, pro-second amendment, pro-military, pro-FairTax platform is not quite as "liberal" as the conservative media has contended.

I fully understand Republicans are unnerved that this underfunded grassroots candidate may be a poor candidate in November (certainly reasonable concerns), but this nonsense about him being "liberal" is just not valid... and these numbers show that Huckabee is actually doing best among conservatives.

I think Romney will win Nevada. Mormons have a fair presence there--about 8% of the population, but my guess is that their percentage among caucus-goers will be greater than that.

Plus, Romney's the only one who is giving voice to the economic insecurity that a lot of average people are feeling right now.

Oops, sorry, Bill - I just reposted the same article.

Note to self: Refresh, refresh!

:-/

alan, having listented to huck in the debates and read what he has said in interviews, it is my considered opinion that he is only conservative on social issues.

actually, what unnerves me most about huck is that he is a total fool when it comes to national security issues, foreign policy, and most economic issues. his ideas on the FairTax are his only redeeming quality in this area. and even there i'm not convinced.

what i don't understand is why Fred isn't doing better among conservatives considering that both his positions and his record show a more conservative approach to government than any of the other candidates.

"alan, having listented to huck in the debates and read what he has said in interviews, it is my considered opinion that he is only conservative on social issues."

I suppose each voter has to consider the importance of social conservatism to them. I am more willing to forgive Huckabee's "moderate" fiscal policy in favor of rock-solid core conservative social values. I'm tired of lukewarm social policy and strongly support LEGISLATION to ban the slaughter of the unborn and the defense of the American family institutions. I value character and I do trust Huckabee's pledge to not raise taxes (I'll wait a minute here to let the laughter die down...)

Seriously, there WERE actual reasons that necessitated some tax hikes in Arkansas as years of frivolous liberal spending on ridiculous programs had left parts of the state's infrastructure in near ruin. Huckabee did balance that state's budget every year and vastly improved the quality of education, roads and emergency management.

As far as foreign policy experience, again it comes down to trust and character. Bush, Clinton and even Reagan had almost none as well. Jimma was supposed to be the genius and almost killed us. I'd rather have a president who prays for guidance than one who tries to liberate us from our Creator.