What's Up with Mike Huckabee's Surge in Iowa?

With the Iowa Caucus only a few short weeks away, the Republican field is still wide open. Five candidates are jockeying for the nomination and with so much fluctuation between them in the polls, it can be challenging trying to make heads or tails of who is coming and who is going. But one thing is for sure: Mike Huckabee has momentum. He is undoubtedly this year's political surprise with an almost sudden rise to fame.

Huckabee is a Southern Baptist preacher who served as Arkansas' Governor for over a decade and was named one of the five best Governors in America by Time Magazine. Considered a second tier candidate and long shot only a few months ago, Huckabee became well known through his skill at public speaking during the televised Republican Presidential primary debates. He attracts attention for his amiable personality and positive attitude. He is often heard saying that he's "a conservative, but not angry at everyone about it." A large portion of his support comes from conservative Christians who like his social positions including the right to life and traditional families. However, he also is gaining support from moderates of the party who agree with him on issues like fixing the problems with health care, reinvigorating our education system, and having a society that is compassionate to the poor. These issues are ones that are often neglected or rarely mentioned by other Republican candidates which helps Huckabee stand out from the crowd.