How will this help candidates throughout the primaries? The "electorate" doesn't vote in GOP primaries, conservatives do.
The president enjoys low popularity these days, with no signs of life and no signs of bouncing back.
In other words, plenty of GOPers are alienated from the President, too. They get to vote in the primaries. I doubt Huckabee will do well in the primaries for a variety of reasons, but you can't dismiss the power of crapping on Bush for political gain. Look at McCain, who has been a pest for the President since 2000 and who enjoys a strong showing in GOP primaries.