Huckabee Gains Ground in Polls

I am rather tired to day so I am just going to give at least one news column, but no opinions.

• Former Governor Mike Huckabee has moved into the top 4 among those seeking the Republican Presidential nomination. According to the Rasmussen Report, Rudy Giuliani remains at the top, with 20 percent, Fred Thompson's close behind with 19 percent, Senator John Mccain's in third place with 14 percent, and, Huckabee gains ground with 12 percent.
• This is the first time all year Huckabee has surpassed Mitt Romney, who's at 11 percent.
• So does his recent jump in the polls mean his chances are more promising?
• Just when you thought the Huckabee hype has died down, his presence in the campaign grows even stronger. Across the nation he's making a name for himself, passing Mitt Romney in the Rasmussen poll for the first time.
• But he's still not gaining full support from the Christian conservatives, and considering he's a former Baptist minister, it doesn't completely add up.
• "That's one of the great unknowns, why people are not supporting Governor Huckabee. He is an outstanding candidate," Todd Minnery, Senior Vice President of Focus on the Family, the ministry of Dr. James Dobson said.
• Minnery says it's not that Christians don't like Huckabee, it's that they don't know him.
• "It’s surprising to see how many are still unfamiliar with whom Huckabee is and I think that's a result of his inability of TV and radio commercials," said Minnery.
• Of course that's not the case in Arkansas.
• "A lot of Christians in this area, me being one of them, i would support him," Steven Wyatt of Clinton said.
• But some Arkansans do say it takes quite a candidate to impress the conservative Christian crowd.
• "I think Christians are looking for basic blue collar type candidate, someone who is for people themselves and not for making themselves rich," Tommy Garland of Cabot said.
• According to Minnery, if Huckabee wants to gain ground, he's got to focus on gaining funds first.
• "I think until Governor Huckabee can demonstrate more fundraising ability, some conservative Christians are going in other directions," Minnery said. [Source]