Not sure I understand the point.
The evangelical politicos in Iowa are interested in Identity Politics, not issues.
They want a Christian figure to lead political revival. They aren’t focused on government issues. Huckabee fits the description of a national pastor-preacher. Not Santorum. And that is why they rejected Fred Thompson, despite his political background.
They are not interested in “issues”, but rather platitudes and rhetoric. They want to hear the Gospel from their candidate. As Huckabee says, “I speak the language of Zion as my native tongue.”