Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich tie for lead in Maine

Mike Huckabee tied at the top of the latest 2012 survey in the most Northeastern state in America: Maine.

Public Policy Polling

2012 Maine GOP Primary Survey

* Newt Gingrich 19% (14%)

* Mike Huckabee 19% (16%)

* Sarah Palin 17% (23%)

* Mitt Romney 15% (18%)

* Ron Paul 8%

* Mitch Daniels 4% (1%)

* Tim Pawlenty 3% (3%)

* Haley Barbour 2%

* Someone else/Undecided 13% (23%)

Among Men

* Newt Gingrich 19% (19%)
* Mike Huckabee 19% (13%)

* Sarah Palin 16% (23%)

* Mitt Romney 13% (17%)

* Ron Paul 11%

* Mitch Daniels 7% (2%)

* Tim Pawlenty 5% (4%)

* Haley Barbour 2%

* Someone else/Undecided 7% (20%)

Among Women

* Newt Gingrich 18% (8%)

* Mitt Romney 18% (19%)

* Sarah Palin 18% (23%)

* Mike Huckabee 18% (18%)

* Ron Paul 5%

* Mitch Daniels 2% (1%)

* Tim Pawlenty 2% (3%)

* Haley Barbour 2%

* Someone else/Undecided 17% (27%)

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

* Mike Huckabee 56% / 22% {+34%}

* Newt Gingrich 54% / 24% {+30%}

* Sarah Palin 59% / 33% {+26%}

* Mitt Romney 47% / 31% {+16%}

Among Men

* Newt Gingrich 59% / 25% {+34%}

* Mike Huckabee 58% / 25% {+33%}

* Sarah Palin 63% / 32% {+31%}

* Mitt Romney 46% / 40% {+6%}

Among Women

* Mike Huckabee 54% / 19% {+35%}

* Newt Gingrich 50% / 23% {+27%}

* Mitt Romney 48% / 23% {+25%}

* Sarah Palin 56% / 34% {+22%}

Survey of 434 usual Maine Republican primary voters was conducted March 3-6, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 4.7 percentage points. Political ideology: 38% Very conservative; 38% Somewhat conservative; 19% Moderate; 4% Somewhat liberal; 1% Very liberal. Results from the poll conducted October 26-28, 2010 are in parentheses.

H/T The Argo Journal for compilation of data

Mike Huckabee leads Wisconsin Primary Poll, comes in second if Paul Ryan runs

Add another Midwestern state to the list surveyed where Mike Huckabee comes out on top. The myth that Huckabee was somehow a Southern regional candidate has been debunked with Public Policy Polling showing Huckabee leading in IL, MO, IA, NE, WI, AK, PA, tied in NJ and MI.

Public Policy Polling

2012 Wisconsin GOP Primary Survey

* Mike Huckabee 23% [18%] (15%)

* Newt Gingrich 15% [13%] (14%)

* Sarah Palin 15% [21%] (18%)

* Mitt Romney 12% [17%] (12%)

* Tim Pawlenty 10% [10%] (8%)

* Ron Paul 5% [4%]

* Mitch Daniels 3% [2%] (2%)

* Someone else/Undecided 17% [12%] (28%)

Among Men

* Mike Huckabee 20% [16%] (16%)

* Newt Gingrich 16% [15%] (17%)

* Sarah Palin 16% [21%] (21%)

* Tim Pawlenty 13% [13%] (12%)

* Mitt Romney 11% [14%] (11%)

* Ron Paul 5% [5%]

* Mitch Daniels 4% [2%] (2%)

* Someone else/Undecided 15% [10%] (19%)

Among Women

* Mike Huckabee 26% [21%] (13%)

* Mitt Romney 14% [19%] (13%)

* Newt Gingrich 13% [11%] (10%)

* Sarah Palin 13% [21%] (14%)

* Ron Paul 6% [4%]

* Tim Pawlenty 6% [7%] (5%)

* Mitch Daniels 2% [2%] (3%)

* Someone else/Undecided 20% [15%] (39%)

Given the choices of Mitch Daniels, Newt Gingrich, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney, and Paul Ryan who would you most like to see as the Republican candidate for President next year?

* Paul Ryan 30%

* Mike Huckabee 17%

* Newt Gingrich 12%

* Mitt Romney 9%

* Sarah Palin 9%

* Ron Paul 5%

* Tim Pawlenty 4%

* Mitch Daniels 3%

* Someone else/Undecided 13%

Favorable / Unfavorable {Net}

* Paul Ryan 67% / 10% {+57%}

* Sarah Palin 65% [71%] / 25% [21%] {+40%}

* Mike Huckabee 58% [59%] / 18% [22%] {+40%}

* Newt Gingrich 54% [56%] / 23% [24%] {+31%}

* Mitt Romney 49% [57%] / 25% [23%] {+24%}

Among Men

* Paul Ryan 71% / 10% {+61%}

* Sarah Palin 67% [74%] / 22% [20%] {+45%}

* Mike Huckabee 60% [59%] / 20% [24%] {+40%}

* Newt Gingrich 60% [61%] / 23% [27%] {+37%}

* Mitt Romney 50% [59%] / 26% [26%] {+24%}

Among Women

* Paul Ryan 61% / 9% {+52%}

* Mike Huckabee 55% [58%] / 17% [19%] {+38%}

* Sarah Palin 62% [67%] / 28% [21%] {+34%}

* Mitt Romney 47% [54%] / 24% [20%] {+23%}

* Newt Gingrich 46% [50%] / 24% [22%] {+22%}

Survey of 400 Republican primary voters was conducted February 24-27, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 4.9 percentage points. Political ideology: 43% Somewhat conservative; 34% Very conservative; 19% Moderate; 3% Somewhat liberal; 1% Very liberal. Results from the poll conducted December 10-12, 2010 are in square brackets. Results from the poll conducted October 26-28, 2010 are in parentheses.

H/T The Argo Journal for compilation of data

PPP Nuggets:

Romney and Palin have both faded since December, and Huckabee surged.

The tough math for Romney continues here. His standing fades rightward: he places second to Huckabee at 19% with moderates, but falls to third at 14% with the 43%-plurality somewhat conservative, and only fourth at 7% with the 34% who are very conservative.

Mike Huckabee hits a Double and the Leftist Media Cries Foul

Mike Huckabee went on the Michael Medved radio show to promote his book, A Simple Government. In the second segment Huckabee explains why we have to change the way we spend money, why it is important to have more local government and less federal government, and why the family matters. He says,

"The most important form of government is a mother and father raising kids."

"In the very first chapter of the book I quantify the costs of broken families. In this country, we have a 300 billion dollar a year Dad deficit. That is the amount of money taxpayers pay because fathers have disappeared from raising their kids and allowed some other taxpayer to pick up the financial costs."

"When people make the argument that the family thing does not matter and we need to focus on the economy, you can't focus on the economy if you don't focus on the stability of families where mothers and fathers raise their own kids."

Then Medved jumps in with the whole Oscar night Natalie Portman question. Four minutes into the second segment of the show Medved says, "She is very visibly pregnant. It's a problem-they are not married, before 2 billion people, says she wants to thank her love, he has given me the most wonderful gift. The best kind of gift would be a wedding ring. It just seems to me that sending that kind of message is problematic."

Well there you go, Medved is clearly upset about Portman. But Huckabee is not upset. In fact, he never brought up the topic. He did answer the question stating that it was unfortunate that we glorify and glamorize the idea of out of wedlock children. Huckabee quantifies with statistics: "75% of African American kids are born out of wedlock. 61% of Hispanic kids. 41% across the board live births are out of wedlock births and the costs are staggering."

In today's Dallas Morning News an article called Expecting to Fail by Gerry Garibaldi, talks about this exact issue. The picture on the page is of a school girl, visibly pregnant, asleep at her desk. The author of the piece talks about No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top initiatives and how they do little good when there is no moral accountability. He states that Personal Moral Accountability is the electrified rail that no politician want to touch.

Well this week one potential presidential candidate did touch upon that subject-stating that there is a Dad deficit in our country-that not only hurts the children (social issue) but also the pocket book of every single tax payer (economic issue). He stepped up to the plate and answered the question, only to be lambasted by every liberal talk show host and journalist.

Later in the article the author goes on to say "Within my lifetime, single parenthood has been transformed from shame to saintliness. In our society, perversely, we celebrate the unwed mother as a heroic figure, like a fireman or a police officer. During the last presidential election, much was made of Obama's mother, who was a single parent. Movie stars and pop singers flaunt their daddy-less babies like fishing trophies." The author, a teacher, asks his student to do research on unwed mothers, the statistics they find are frightening: "From the FBI: 63% of all suicides are individuals from single-parent households. From the Centers for Disease Control: 75 percent of adolescents in chemical-dependency hospitals come from single-parent households. From the Children's Defense Fund: More than half of all youths incarcerated for criminal acts come from single-parent households. and so on."

I listened to Mike Huckabee's answer. I didn't hear any slam about Portman. I heard a well versed author talk about the statistics that he had just uncovered writing his book. I heard a potential candidate talk about how both the fiscal and the social issues are important. And I heard a concerned person talk about the state of our country.

It has been interesting to watch and listen to those in the media, radio and blogosphere spin their tale about Mike Huckabee.  I ask the question, do you want a president who answers the questions that he is asked or do you want someone who hides behind the spin?

Candidate Barack Obama when asked at the Saddleback forum at what stage of development does the baby have legal rights? His answer was to say that it was above his paygrade.

Do you want a President who avoids questions, two steps around the answer, is only comfortable answering "questions" off a teleprompter, has his press secretary give you a bunch of spin, won't commit on a position, can't say who the enemy is or do you want a President who gives you the honest, somber truth?

I want a president who is not afraid to step up to the plate and swing. When you hold the office of the presidency, you do not know what financial, foreign policy, or social crisis will hit on your watch. It could be a curve ball, a fast ball, or a wild throw by the pitcher. But you have to have the courage to take any ball that is thrown your way. Mike Huckabee steps up to the plate every time he has an interview. He will talk about any subject that is asked of him. He gives a straightforward, honest answer. Whether you like it or not, Americans deserve to hear the truth.

The deficit needs to be cut. Medicare/Medicaid/Social Security have to be reformed. The Radical Islamic Terrorists who threaten our way of life need to be eliminated. And in today's Sunday morning paper, ironically a former Hollywood executive/screenwriter turned English teacher in an urban city school in Connecticut asks the question: What to do about the teen pregnancy problem?

Sounds like listening to Mike Huckabee could be the answer.

Mike Huckabee: The Stimulus Did Not Work

Mike Huckabee sits down with Neil Cavuto and discusses the economy, stating that "the stimulus did not work."

Mike Huckabee leads the way for President in Virginia

Mike Huckabee continues to lead the polling in the South including in the state of Virginia.

Public Policy Polling

Virginia 2012 GOP Primary Survey

* Mike Huckabee 20%

* Mitt Romney 16%

* Sarah Palin 16%

* Newt Gingrich 14%

* Ron Paul 8%

* Mitch Daniels 7%

* Haley Barbour 4%

* Tim Pawlenty 4%

* Someone else/Undecided 11%

Among Men

* Mike Huckabee 18%

* Sarah Palin 17%

* Mitt Romney 14%

* Newt Gingrich 14%

* Ron Paul 10%

* Mitch Daniels 9%

* Haley Barbour 5%

* Tim Pawlenty 5%

* Someone else/Undecided 8%

Among Women

* Mike Huckabee 21%

* Mitt Romney 17%

* Sarah Palin 15%

* Newt Gingrich 14%

* Ron Paul 6%

* Mitch Daniels 5%

* Tim Pawlenty 4%

* Haley Barbour 3%

* Someone else/Undecided 14%

Favorability

* Mike Huckabee 68% / 20% +48%

* Mitt Romney 58% / 23% +35%

* Sarah Palin 63% / 29% +34%

* Newt Gingrich 54% / 29% +25%

PPP surveyed 400 usual Virginia Republican primary voters from February 24th to 27th. The survey’s margin of error is +/-4.9%.

H/T  The Argo Journal for compilation of data

PPP Nuggets:

As he does throughout most of the South, Mike Huckabee leads the way for President in the state with 20%.

Holding Romney back in VA and in general- 4th place with 'very conservative' voters at 12%.

Mike Huckabee's book tour stops in Sherman Texas

Mike Huckabee's  A Simple Government book tour bus rolled into Sherman Texas.  People came across the border from Oklahoma and from downtown Dallas to get a glimpse of possible future presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee. They did not come just to get their book signed and a few snapshots. They came to tell Mike Huckabee that they wanted him to run again in 2012.  I noticed something they all had in common: They Like Mike.

Waiting outside bus to meet Mike Huckabee.

Supporters waiting to encourage Mike Huckabee to run and get their book signed.

Tristan brings his guitar for Mike Huckabee to sign.

Mike Huckabee and Tristan talk guitar.

Mike Huckabee checks out Tristan's guitar.

Mike Huckabee tells supporters that he appreciates their words of encouragement.

While signing books, Mike Huckabee talks with reporters.

I have had the opportunity to see Mike Huckabee in person three times. Each time leaves me with the thought that this man needs to be the next president of the United States. He gets it. He understands what Americans are going through and how to fix the problems. His strength of conviction shines through when he talks about both the social issues and the fiscal issues. He is not afraid to answer the tough questions that most politicians would avoid. And one thing that always captures my attention is how Huckabee is kind to everyone, treating each person as if they are the only one in the room. He never looks around to see if someone "more important" is nearby and he never hurries anyone along. This shows that Mike Huckabee understands the concept that those who serve in government are servants of the people.

Mike Huckabee clarifies Kenyan Verbal Gaffe: Ken-ya Give Mike Huckabee a Break?

Mike Huckabee was a guest on The O'Reilly Factor and discussed the verbal gaffe he made in reference to Obama's upbringing.

Please check out this great piece by Huckabee supporter, Gary Walter from the Gary Walter Report:

Ken-ya Give Mike Huckabee a Break?

"Really and truly I would much rather be writing an advocacy blog report for Mike Huckabee. I would rather be talking about his many talents, his abundant accomplishments in over 13 years of state governance, his hopeful and inspiring vision for the path of our country, his articulate and inspirational style,or his much-needed common sense approach to governance as laid out in his new book "A Simple Government". Clearly I would find much more joy in telling you why I believe he is by far the best person on the planet to be President of the United States. I would love to be pointing out that today he led all prospective candidates throughout the south by a whopping 9% in a crowded field (which he did) or that he tops all comers in the most recent national Gallup poll (which he does). But I instead feel compelled today to write as an apologist in the light of the "Obama/Kenya" flap.

In a radio interview on Monday, one of dozens of interviews the Governor gave, he made reference to President Obama's upbringing in Kenya. Despite all context to the contrary, the left-loyal NY Times in an article by Michael Shear comes up with the headline "Huckabee Questions Obama Birth Certificate". Others claimed he was trying to curry support of the "Birther" movement. Others say he is catering to the worst of racism. Others say he's just plain stupid and ignorant while many of the left wing press condemn him as a liar. Huckabee has clearly stated that this was a misspoken comment-and he is simply not a birther. Here's the quote from the governor's website: "As I stated in my new book "A Simple Government" and in numerous interviews with dozens of reporters- I don't believe there is an issue with Barack Obama's birth certificate. However, I do believe there are serious issues with the President's policies, and I have been openly opposed to the President's world view."

Now the left wants to say that Huckabee intentionally made the Kenyan reference because he wanted to curry favor with the birther movement. That is simply a ludicrous assumption. Obviously birthers know where Huckabee stands- you can go to page one of his book and to any number of his public interviews and he is clear, that's not his axe to grind- there are substantive policy issues which demand and merit his and our time and attention as we seek to find a new president. So what would he gain by the miss-speak. As far as the birther's are concerned, it would only underscore that he does not go that route- See the last paragraph of his response where he notes that if Obama was not born in the US than Hillary Clinton's operatives surely would have discovered this and ended his successful campaign against her. No, there would be no benefit to the Governor to make the Kenyan insertion as far as the Birthers were concerned.

So lets start there- there is no motive for a "lie". Further, it has became my privilege to get to know this man. No, I'm not his best bud but since 2007 I have been closely monitoring his speeches , books, and media appearances. I have met and spoken with him on repeated occasions and recently spent 9 days watching him up close and personal on a trip to Israel. The man is a gentleman, a sincere Christian, a leader, and a truth teller. There was no motive for him to lie and to do so would not be consistent with the character of the man I have come to know.

So how did the Kenyan reference come out? What would make sense? The simple answer is that when saying Kenya, he meant "Indonesia" which of course is where President Obama spent four years of his youth. However the critics are quick to counter that the swapping of the words "Kenya" and "Indonesia" don't make the story make sense since there is a reference to the Mau Mau rebellion, and Obama's father and grandfather- which of course are Kenyan not Indonesian in nature. Again there is no motive for Huckabee to convolute the story, so why would these inconsistencies be there? I believe the answer is found in the bigger picture of what the Governor was trying to say: His point was this: the American people do not like the policies of this President- whether we are talking about the exploding debt, the Healthcare debacle , or his whimpish foreign policy model. There are reasons why President Obama looks at the world differently than many Americans. Those reasons include many things from his upbringing which included being registered in school as a Muslim in Indonesia, to having a Kenyan as well as American heritage (his father though not involved in young Barack's life was from Kenya), to where he went to school, to the people he associated with in Chicago politics. If we are to understand where President Obama has taken us and where he would like to take us, his world view must be understood. When the reporter asked the question, I believe the Governor blended together parts of these pieces and they came out a bit jumbled. It was a mistake- one that he has apologized for. What it proves is Huckabee is human.

But why would it be Huckabee that made the mistake? I would assert that you'll find mistakes in all of humans the more we are exposed to one another. Other candidates do not make themselves available to the press except in controlled environments that make them look good. Gov. Huckabee is a real and honest individual who consistently makes himself available to anyone who would like to speak with him. Eventually there will be a gaffe. But as a leader, he's willing to take that risk in order to be accessible to the people. I would suggest that the very vulnerability that Gov. Huckabee exhibits is in fact another reason why he should be President. We want to know our leaders. We would like them to be competent, courageous,and coherent, - all of which Gov. Huckabee is, but we also want them to be authentic and real. They can make mistakes like we do, they are human, but they can take that humanity and inspire us to greatness. Gov. Huckabee does that as well.

At the end of the day we can focus on the "gotcha" questions and character assasinations ad nauseum but what really matters is that we look at the big picture of who should lead are country. Should it be someone with the world view of Barack Obama that leads us to European socialism or the world view of Mike Huckabee that leads us to believe in an America that was founded on great Judeo-Christian principles that have made our country great. America didn't become a great country by accident and focus on an accident should never take us from our goal to be a great country."