Huckabee remains unproven outside evangelical circles

[ursi]

Source: Associated Press

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. -- This much is known: Mike Huckabee, a one-time Southern Baptist preacher, attracts fellow Christian evangelicals in droves.

Still a question is whether he can appeal to a broader scope of the GOP electorate and swing voters the Republican Party needs to beat Democrats in November.

The answer could come Tuesday when Michigan votes.

Demographically, the Midwestern state looks more like the country than Iowa and New Hampshire. Independents and Democrats also can vote in the Republican primary. That makes Michigan a test of whether Huckabee's populist pitch can pull in GOP moderates and others uneasy with his hard-right stances on cultural issues, outward emphasis on faith and mixed record on economic issues.

Read more: http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080114/NEWS19/801140330

[knitter4democracy]

1. His poll numbers are low here.

I think he'll do well on the western side of the state, though. We'll see. So far, I'm seeing more Ron Paul supporters than anyone else.

[ursi]

2. Ron Paul's people and signs are all over in the Reno region of Nevada

[knitter4democracy]

3. People have painted their cars and held rallies here.

I've never seen that for Republican candidates here.

[Doctor_J]

4. , where he is considered "batshit crazy"

:eyes:

[hollowdweller]

5. I think Huckabee is their best candidate really.

He's funny. He's populist. I don't agree with his religious views but IMO he'd be the best candidate they got for the middle class.

I think the evangelicals have actually been fucked by the GOP. They've turned out in droves for them based on the moral issue, but at the same time they have essentially voted against their own economic self interest since most are not rich.

Huckabee gives them somebody who agrees with their values but also would try to help them economically also.

I wouldn't vote for him but I can think of much worse candidates getting the nomination. Like Mc Cain or Guliani

[cap]

6. not at all... look at Huckabee's views on women

it's scary. He's one of the "women should be submissive" types. I wonder if he's linked in with the dominionists.