Mani
05-17-2011, 09:48 PM
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_fastfix/20110516/pl_yblog_fastfix/the-fast-fix-with-mike-huckabee-out-for-2012-who-benefits
The Fast Fix: With Mike Huckabee out for 2012, who benefits?
Mitt Romney? Sarah Palin? Tim Pawlenty? Or Michele Bachmann? Which of the potential 2012 GOP presidential contenders will benefit from Mike Huckabee's decision not to join the race?
Mike Huckabee made it official over the weekend- he won't be running for president in 2012.
Huckabee's decision not to run isn't all that surprising, but it does have a major effect on the race since he was well known and well liked by the Republican electorate.
There are two major ways that a Huckabee-less field impacts the 2012 race.
First, Iowa now matters. Huckabee's win in the 2008 Iowa caucuses meant that if he had run again in 2012 he would have been a heavy favorite. With Huckabee out of the race, Iowa is now up for grabs, which creates opportunity for the likes of Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty.
Second, a chunk of social conservatives are political free agents now. Much of Huckabee's strength in 2008 was due to his strong roots among evangelical voters who comprise a significant voting bloc in both Iowa's caucuses and South Carolina's primary. Now, those influential voters are back on the market.
All in all, Huckabee not running makes the contest FAR more wide-open. Expect the candidates who are in the race to move quickly to win over former Huckabee supporters who are now in the market for someone new.
The Fast Fix: With Mike Huckabee out for 2012, who benefits?
Mitt Romney? Sarah Palin? Tim Pawlenty? Or Michele Bachmann? Which of the potential 2012 GOP presidential contenders will benefit from Mike Huckabee's decision not to join the race?
Mike Huckabee made it official over the weekend- he won't be running for president in 2012.
Huckabee's decision not to run isn't all that surprising, but it does have a major effect on the race since he was well known and well liked by the Republican electorate.
There are two major ways that a Huckabee-less field impacts the 2012 race.
First, Iowa now matters. Huckabee's win in the 2008 Iowa caucuses meant that if he had run again in 2012 he would have been a heavy favorite. With Huckabee out of the race, Iowa is now up for grabs, which creates opportunity for the likes of Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty.
Second, a chunk of social conservatives are political free agents now. Much of Huckabee's strength in 2008 was due to his strong roots among evangelical voters who comprise a significant voting bloc in both Iowa's caucuses and South Carolina's primary. Now, those influential voters are back on the market.
All in all, Huckabee not running makes the contest FAR more wide-open. Expect the candidates who are in the race to move quickly to win over former Huckabee supporters who are now in the market for someone new.