Well, Ace is surprised too so I guess it’s mildly surprising. It shouldn’t be, though: he’s been second in the two most recent state polls and was within seven of Mitt (while in third place, a point behind Fred) as far back as a month ago in the Rasmussen survey. According to CBS/NYT via Drudge, we stand now at Mitt 27, Huck 21, Rudy 15, and Fred, who needs a good showing, at a dismal 9. Like I said yesterday, Mitt’s financial advantage is so great that he can probably buy his way to victory — unless the evangelicals start coming out for Huckabee. Dobson said last week that he doesn’t plan on endorsing anytime soon, but I wonder if that’ll change if Huckabee’s within striking distance on New Year’s Day.
Assuming Huck takes second, that leaves Fred as the third-place social con also-ran two weeks before must-have South Carolina. I don’t know where it leaves Rudy; I guess he can shrug off finishing third by saying it’s a socially conservative state, but going from frontrunner to the bronze in his first primary will have him smelling like Howard Dean.
If you’re still trying to make up your mind about Huck, here’s a positive review for you to chew on and a very negative one. Advantage: Chuck?
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