Reuters: "Huckabee seeks Catholic support"

Concord, NH:

Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee sees his conservative religious base as reaching beyond evangelical Protestants to Catholics as well.

Huckabee, an ordained Baptist preacher, won the Iowa caucus last week which kicks off the nominating process for the November presidential election, largely because of support from the state’s numerous evengelical community.

While campaigning in New Hampshire — where he is hoping for a solid third place finish in the state’s Tuesday primary — Huckabee told reporters on the bus on Monday that he felt his broad message resonated with many Catholics.

I just can't shake my unease about him. He managed a 3rd in NH yesterday. He's polling first or tied-for-first in upcoming Michigan and South Carolina. But McCain and Romney are putting up a fight.

Alan Keyes squeeks into today's GOP debate

MSNBC's First Read:

There is one additional Republican presidential candidate who will be on the stage here at the GOP Des Moines Register/Iowa Public Television debate this afternoon: Alan Keyes.

This will be the first major debate this cycle featuring the former presidential candidate and ambassador, who most recently faced off against Barack Obama in the 2004 Illinois Senate race (even though he actually hails from Maryland). Keyes did participate in the Tavis Smiley-moderated GOP debate in September, which the top Republican candidates skipped.

In the cross hairs this afternoon - Huckabee: "Today marks the first GOP meeting since Huckabee shot to the top of polls in Iowa and near the top of polls nationally." - Des Moines Register

And among the Democrats, Hillary's poll woes continue (but I'm betting she'll weather it).

You can watch the debate live (2pm EST) right here.

Rasmussen Poll: Huckabee *first* in Iowa caucus

He's at 28% to Romney's 24%, to be precise.

Never doubt the power of a Chuck Norris endorsement.

Flashback: National Right to Life Committee endorses Thompson over Huckabee for reasons of electability, not pureness of record alone.

Flashforward: CNN/YouTube republican candidate debate tonight.

Huckabee putters into 2nd place Iowa polling, VP rumors abound

The title says it all, but to elaborate:

... partly by exploiting discontent among Christian conservatives with the Republican field, Huckabee, a witty former Arkansas governor, has powered into second place in polls in Iowa, 65 days before the state's crucial caucuses.

... In Iowa, an average by RealClearPolitics.com of recent polls has him in second place, on 15 percent and rising, behind former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney on 29 percent.

... [he doesn't have much cash:] So, Huckabee is increasingly being mentioned as a possible vice presidential pick. - AFP

Would huckabee accept a VP-offer from Giuliani or Romney?