Sarah Palin, GOP Frontrunner 2012??? Only if Huckabee Doesn't Run...

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Romney is the 'best' of the candidates to be quite honest. That's the sad part. As the author says though, the ignorant Christian idiots won't touch him because of the mormon aspect... The backwards thinking there is exactly what gets us into stupid messes in the first place....

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http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/morning-fix/sarah-palins-mike-huckabee-pro.html

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Monday that Sarah Palin might well "run away" with the Republican nomination for president.

It's funny Huckabee should say such a thing, because he's got a lot of say over whether she does just that. And it has to do with whether he even runs in the first place.

As potential 2012 candidates weigh their prospects and determine their plans for the next presidential race, one thing is clear: that Huckabee and Palin inhabit largely the same space -- i.e. they each would perform well without the other, but they might undercut each other if they are in the same race.

There is currently a four-candidate top-tier consisting of Palin, Huckabee, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. And indeed, a new Quinnipiac University poll on Monday showed the four of them all huddled between 15 and 19 percent of the vote.

But while Huckabee and Gingrich have pretty broad support, the base of support for Huckabee and Palin is readily apparent, and for both of them, it starts with born-again evangelicals. The two of them combine for 46 percent of that vote, compared to just 26 percent for Gingrich and Romney. Palin and Huckabee are also the top two vote-getters among women and people without college degrees.

So why is that important? Because if any of the four frontrunners seems least likely to run for president, it would be Huckabee. And, if he doesn't take the plunge, where is his 26 percent share of evangelicals going to go? Where is his 18 percent share of women going? Who gets his 17 percent share of those without college degrees?

The obvious answer to all three of those questions is Palin. Gingrich has been married three times and has some baggage to show for it. Romney's ability to connect with rural, Christian voters, meanwhile, remains suspect because of his Mormonism.

It's hard to see Palin having a path to victory that doesn't include Iowa or South Carolina, and both of those early states happened to be Huckabee's strongest in 2008 (he won Iowa and came in second in the Palmetto State).

At a speech Monday in the Hawkeye State, Huckabee went on to joke that, if he does run, "I prefer she not and that she endorse me."

He's only half kidding. They each stand to lose plenty by seeing the other one in the race.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Would you prefer Palin over Huckabee?

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Would you prefer Palin over Huckabee?

Huckabee is atleast amusing. I'd take almost anyone over Palin. Her and Obama need to find an island together and disappear....

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Pretty bleak field aside from Mitt as far as the general election goes. I hope Sarah runs and the GOP puts her on the ticket. She can engage O'Donnell or Angle for the VP slot. Oh what a fun race it would be. SNL would be so much fun to watch. Or it wouldn't because the actual news might be funnier than SNL.

Edited November 23, 2010 by Mr. Big Dog

[Ken y Leidys 20]

Why can't Republican's get over the Church/State seperation to nominate someone capable of leading their party?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I'd take Huckabee over Palin too. Huckabee doesn't bother me nor does Romney. He was governor here and I think he did a good job. I don't care what his religion is, he's a real candidate and not a circus side show.

[B_J 2,752]

I hate jumping into political discussion but......

I'd love to see Mitch Daniels, Bobby Jindal, or Christ Christie. And definitely with Paul Ryan as VP.

B.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Romney is an empty suit. The guy has Joe Biden's ability to say the dumbest possible thing at the worst time. If you watch his past debates, it really is cringe worthy.

Draft Mitch Daniels 2012!!!

[scandal 951]

I'd take Huckabee over Palin too. Huckabee doesn't bother me nor does Romney. He was governor here and I think he did a good job. I don't care what his religion is, he's a real candidate and not a circus side show.

I would consider Romney. He did bring universal healthcare to his state, and seems like a practical guy who can work across the aisle.

Palin -- I see her as this generation's Goldwater. Could she actually survive the primaries and wins the GOP nomination? If she did, she would likely find, like Goldwater did in 1964, that America is a much more moderate and centrist country than conservatives wishfully believe. Goldwater lost in 64 and Palin has the same prospects in 2012.