The ability to connect to the Republican middle class base is one of Huckabee’s strengths, as borne out by his intra-party favorability ratings. According to Public Policy Polling, Huckabee’s favorability numbers among Republican voters are 56-21, which is a lot stronger than Jeb Bush (41-37), and clearly better than Rand Paul (49-26).

Looking ahead, Huckabee plans to build on his 2008 win in the Iowa Caucus and improve on his second place finish in the South Carolina primary. Says the governor, “We are poised to do well in Iowa, South Carolina, the SEC Super Tuesday states…and that will winnow the field dramatically.”

SEC Super Tuesday? Yes, SEC, as in the Deep South college football powerhouses. Right now, it looks like Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia Mississippi, and Tennessee are planning to hold their primaries on Tuesday, March 1, 2016. Seven years ago, Huckabee won those same five SEC contests on Super Tuesday, February 5, 2008. So, the challenge for Huckabee is to repeat his past victories, pick-up the Palmetto State, and then move on to being more than simply a regional candidate.