IA PrimR: Rasmussen: Huckabee takes the lead for the first time

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I'll just say that I'd view the kind of folks that are voting for Huckabee to be the most solid of any voters out there. The idea is that these are Christian conservative folks who flirted with Fred and McCain before finding Huckabee; they don't seem like they're going to suddenly decide Romney or Giuliani were the better choice all along, especially when they've been big time figures for so many months. Both Romney and Giuliani have campaigns built on soft support built off name recognition and money. Huckabee's campaign seems to be built on harder ground, issues and faith.

For that reason I don't see Huckabee shedding voters outside some sort of gaffe or scandal that will shake those Christian conservatives.

Christian conservatives never backed McCain - and frankly, I'm pissed at the religious righters out there saying "Romney's a liberal because he was pro-choice 6 years ago" - ok, his views changed - lots of peoples views change - so don't support Huckabee b/c he won't win - go for the guy you agree with on issues, and who cares if he's a Mormon.

[Jake]

1. Huckabee is a Christian, Romney isn't. The fact that that matters is sad, but it does matter.

2. Romney's entire platform is "I changed my mind". How are they supposed to believe that he's pro-life when they can't believe any other positions?

And yeah, Christian Conservatives never did back McCain, they flirted with him. They're now backing Huckabee. That's an undeniable fact.

[Erc]

I'll just say that I'd view the kind of folks that are voting for Huckabee to be the most solid of any voters out there. The idea is that these are Christian conservative folks who flirted with Fred and McCain before finding Huckabee; they don't seem like they're going to suddenly decide Romney or Giuliani were the better choice all along, especially when they've been big time figures for so many months. Both Romney and Giuliani have campaigns built on soft support built off name recognition and money. Huckabee's campaign seems to be built on harder ground, issues and faith.

For that reason I don't see Huckabee shedding voters outside some sort of gaffe or scandal that will shake those Christian conservatives.

I'd agree with you that Huckabee's true supporters are more likely to stick in the long run...but considering that 2/3 of his support has been gained in the last two weeks, it's entirely possible that he could lose some of that just as quickly (probably not the Christian conservative types, but not everyone supporting him at the moment is a rock hard Christian Conservative).

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

1. Huckabee is a Christian, Romney isn't. The fact that that matters is sad, but it does matter.

2. Romney's entire platform is "I changed my mind". How are they supposed to believe that he's pro-life when they can't believe any other positions?

And yeah, Christian Conservatives never did back McCain, they flirted with him. They're now backing Huckabee. That's an undeniable fact.

And if the Christian Conservatives back somebody who can't win the General Election, I will denounce the movement.  Vote on the issues - not the religion - I'd vote for a conservative atheist over a liberal pastor.

[Jake]

I just hope you're not arguing Romney is a better general candidate than Huckabee. You're not that much of a hack.

[HardRCafé]

I just hope you're not arguing Romney is a better general candidate than Huckabee. You're not that much of a hack.

I'm not sure it matters, since they'd both get skooshed.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I just hope you're not arguing Romney is a better general candidate than Huckabee. You're not that much of a hack.

I am - but I'm coming from a viewpoint of Edwards winning the primary - which I'm losing less faith in, but I still think it'll happen.

Preferably, I'd have Hagel as a candidate - somebody with a sensible semi-quick plan out of Iraq, but still moderately conservative on important social issues to me (Pro-life, gay marriage is a states' rights issue, etc.).

[Eraserhead]

I just hope you're not arguing Romney is a better general candidate than Huckabee. You're not that much of a hack.

I'm not sure it matters, since they'd both get skooshed.

haha.

[Jake]

I am - but I'm coming from a viewpoint of Edwards winning the primary - which I'm losing less faith in, but I still think it'll happen.

lol