Huckabee Gets NY Times Nod As Brownback Bows Out

Huckabee Gets NY Times Nod As Brownback Bows Out

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=54940
The race for the Republican presidential nomination is now one candidate lighter, and some believe Mike Huckabee could benefit the most.The former Arkansas Governor got another push Friday by one candidate dropping out and a columnist for the New York Times giving him the nod.Kansas Senator Sam Brownback's decision to bow out Friday left Huckabee, some analysts say, as the best candidate for the Christian conservative vote, which has played a big role in past elections.“Those are the folks that support Governor Huckabee," said press secretary Alice Stewart. "So, once things settle down, once Senator Brownback has a chance to get through this, those are people we'd love to have support us." "Brownback was perceived as the darling of conservatives, but even with less money, Huckabee made a showing in Iowa and pushed Brownback behind him,” said UALR political scientist Ann Clemmer.Less money for sure, about one tenth of that raised by the leaders, but Clemmer says Huckabee's relying on a strategic campaign involving a wealth of personality. “Mike Huckabee really hasn't made any mistakes and he's just so charismatic," she said.A quality appealing to voters and political pundits like conservative columnist David Brooks.In Friday's issue of the New York Times, Brooks cites seven reasons endorsing the former Arkansas governor's bid for the Republican nomination.He says Huckabee is a different kind of conservative, calling him, “the most normal person running for president. He's funny and engaging, almost umpossible not to like.”Clemmer says, “These are heavy hitters, being impressed by Mike Huckabee. This just gives him added credibility. This is almost a Jimmy Carter, come out of nowhere, 1976 campaign.”Huckabee's travels take him to the nation's capital Saturday where he's speaking at the second annual voter's values summit. From there, it's on to Orlando to prepare for Sunday's republican debate.