Huckabee has big support from a popular talk show host in Iowa, primarily for his religious background and stand on abortion. I understand that’s his biggest asset in the state.
If you dig down into the rest of the poll it shows terrorism and national security the top issue and illegal immigration second. The problem for Huckabee is that he’s definitely on the wrong side on illegal immigration (a requirement in a state where Tyson is about the largest employer) and I think he’s also weak on terrorism/national security. There have been a slew of articles recently that illegal immigration is getting to be a top shelf issue and that his record will be overwhelmingly viewed negatively by folks in Iowa (they’re wanting enforcement and border control). Cedar Rapids is driving some of this because their city council is talking about declaring it a sanctuary city. Fred is running ads, particularly in Iowa, and pushing hard on illegal immigration. He’s also tagged Huckabee, I think effectively, as a “pro life liberal.”
After all of the negative attacks on Fred by the MSM he’s in a position to overcome artificially low expectations with even a strong 3rd, let alone a 2nd or first place finish. If he wins Iowa outright I think the nomination is almost automatically his. He’ll publicly write off New Hampshire as a “favorite son” done deal for Romney and move his resources to the South and mop up there.
Do you mean Jan Michelson on WHO Radio?