One thing most political candidates have to learn when in a national political race is that once they start gaining attention of the possible voters, they also get the attention of the media. With his recent upswing in the polls, the national news machine is starting to steer in his direction. While extra exposure may help with name recognition, it just might have the name recognition with events or decisions some politicians would rather not have illuminated.
When polls showed Huckabee leading the race for the Republican nomination in Iowa, it made the national media consider him a top tier candidate, who sparked their interest in the former Arkansas governor, and they began to ferret out information about his past public life. His 30 percent showing in recent Iowa polls, according to information at usaelectionpolls.com, is higher than former front-runners Rudy Giuliani, with five percent and 20 percent for Mitt Romney.
Although Giuliani has a slight edge in national polls, many see the early primary states as setting the tone for later voting in the primary. Romney does lead in New Hampshire, but the Huckabee has breathed new life into his New England campaign and is now in double digits with 11 percent. Nationally he trails Giuliani by only two points, 24 percent to 22 percent.
It isn't just the national media that is beginning to pay attention as Romney will soon release the first negative Republican campaign ad of the primary season with a shot at Huckabee on the issue of illegal immigration.
CNN had Mike Huckabee polling as high as 22% nationally. In December 2007, Huckabee is polling the best in North Carolina (33%), Iowa (32%), South Carolina (24.3%), and Georgia (23.0%).
