The big news of the weekend is Mike Huckabee's surprise showing in the Family Research Council's Value Voters online straw poll. Although Huckabee finished second to Mitt Romney by a less than a percentage point, as Jonathan Martin points out, Huckabee dominated the poll among the actual conference attendees winning with a 5 to 1 margin.
The straw poll was online, and all it took to vote was a donation to the FRC. Romney, who has put a significant amount of money into developing his online organization, was able to effectively mobilize his online activists. Similarly, Ron Paul, with his extensive online organization, finished in 3rd place.
Huckabee's showing could be a sign that social conservatives are beginning to coalesce around Huckabee now that the other standard bearer is out of the race. While it is great news for Huckabee, unfortunately the tacit endorsement of social conservatives doesn't come with any money attached. And that is still Huckabee's biggest hurdle.
More analysis:
Marc Ambinder
First Read
"Similarly, Ron Paul, with his extensive online organization, finished in 3rd place."
the Paul campaign never sent out emails urging supporters to vote in this poll, as Romney did. I didn't even Know about this poll until after it was over (and I spend 16+ hours a day following RP related stuff).
Paul's online presence is organic and grassroots, whereas Romney's is an official campaign fabrication.
Posted by: Kyle | October 22, 2007 12:53 AM | Permalink to Comment