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Huckabee Stands Above the Rest in the South

2/11/2010, by Proloy Bhatta

HIGHLIGHTS

• Huckabee 33%
• Palin 23%
• Romney 12%

Baselice & Associates conducted a 2012 Republican primary poll for the state of Alabama. The poll was conducted 2/3-4 and released two days ago.

Alabama may not be Iowa or New Hampshire but we are able to analyze these results through the lens of it being a southern state.

Despite the fact that McCain and Romney were long perceived as front runners, Huckabee was able to run off seven victories in the South. He won Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kansas, and Louisiana.

While watching one of the pundits on the mainstream media, I heard an analyst explain how Palin could be such a formidable candidate in 2012 because she was a unique candidate in a crowded field... as if all the votes would be split amongst all the other candidates and she would win by default.

I thought instead of Huckabee. He has that appeal to the South that none of the aforementioned candidates have. Palin may appeal to the South on the issues but she is from Alaska geographically. Romney and Pawlenty lack that appeal.

Who would challenge Huckabee in the South? Likely a candidate that has yet to be named -- or even a Bobby Jindal. But definitely not any of the candidates currently being touted as a front runner. So this goes to prove that Huckabee still has his southern appeal.

Huckabee lost to McCain by only three points in the South Carolina primary in 2008. He would look poised to win this primary in 2012 -- especially if he was able to repeat a victory in Iowa. Even if he does not win Iowa, his southern appeal could catapult him anyways.

We do not know who the candidates will be in 2012. But unless a candidate capable of grabbing the South comes along, Huckabee would stand above the rest in a geographical area so critical to Republicans.

Our poll of polls show a three-way split between Romney, Huckabee, and Palin. But who among them is the true "unique" candidate? Huckabee.