He’s more apt to blame America’s problems on a shadowy elite who are out to get blue-collar god-fearers but less apt to blame jihadist attacks on sinfulness.

I guess that constitutes progress.

Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign may be nearing its end, but those around him say he won’t disappear and is poised to claim political leadership of conservative evangelicals.

Mr. Huckabee’s inner circle says he’s the perfect bridge to re-establish the Christian right, which has suffered over the last decade, as a political force that speaks for millions of voters.

“He has become the leader of a new generation of Christian conservative voters,” said Rex Nelson, who was communications director when Mr. Huckabee was Arkansas’ governor. “The old leadership has either passed on in the case of [the Rev. Jerry] Falwell or become either irrelevant or out of touch — the Pat Robertson endorsement of Rudy Giuliani proves that.”…

Several of Mr. Huckabee’s close advisers, speaking on the condition of anonymity to freely discuss possibilities, said he does not have an interest in a Cabinet position or in running for the U.S. Senate from Arkansas, but said being on a ticket as vice president would be an attractive alternative. One adviser mentioned a role as Republican National Committee chairman, while another said he might be best suited for a role outside the party…

By one estimate the campaign’s earned media is the equivalent of $125 million in paid ads, and that was before his appearance on “Saturday Night Live” last month.

Speaking of earned media, this story is basically an unpaid ad to make him VP, no? Assuming Maverick declines, what’s Huck’s next move? I’ve asked that question at least three times now in previous posts and haven’t gotten a solid answer yet. A senate run should be a no-brainer but Huck, evidently, has no brain in this regard. A leadership position with some Christian group, like Dobson’s, would work but who knows when one will open up. Exit question: As much as our commenters dislike him for his identity politics demagoguery, isn’t he an asset overall? He’s so good with the media that we really can’t afford to spare him, especially with people like Hagee insisting they’re not anti-Catholic despite available evidence to the contrary. Let me rephrase the exit question, then: Isn’t Huck a net gain over the Robertson/Falwell/Dobson model that preceded him? If so, are you willing to alienate him and his millions of Christian conservative supporters by not putting him on the ticket? (Exit answer: Yes.)