Hours before a critical CNN-YouTube debate between the Republican candidates for president, a new Rasmussen Reports poll shows Mike Huckabee with a slight edge over Mitt Romney in the first in the nation caucus state of Iowa.
IOWA G.O.P.
Mike Huckabee 28%
Mitt Romney 25%
Rudy Giuliani 12%
Fred Thompson 11%
This poll mirrors other polls taken over the last month showing underdog Huckabee gaining on or even passing Romney.
"Given the margin of error, the challenges of determining the relatively small number of people who will participate in a caucus, and other factors, the race is far too close to call at this point in time. However, the fact that Romney is no longer the clear frontrunner in Iowa reflects a stunning change in the race," writes Rasmussen.
Key numbers:
*48% of Evangelicals support Huckabee; Romney gets 16%
*41% of likely voters say they still might change their mind
*53% of Huckabee's supporters say they are certain they'll vote for him
*46% of caucus-goers think Romney will win Iowa; that number drops to 25% for Huckabee
Also: The Associated Press is out with a stinging story on Huckabee today, which says the former Arkansas Governor has mislead the public about his record on ethics complaints, immigration and taxes.
1 comment:
Holy Upsets, Batman!
Seriously, this is something. Mike Huckabee could well be "the story" of the campaign thus far. Rasmussen was right to call this a "stunning" change. And at the same time, Huckabee has pulled into 2nd in Florida. These Iowa numbers are amazing when you consider Romney's resources relative to Huckabee's. For what he has poured in, one would expect that Romney should be in the upper 30s-low 40s in support. Yet here he his being pushed to the brink by an upstart candidate.
In elections, the man and message must meet the moment. This could be the case with Mike Huckabee as I believe he can win Iowa.
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