Man lifts barbells over his headThe Iowa Independent is reporting its own power rankings culled from “staff members, additional state political reporters, party activists, academics, elected officials, political consultants and other insiders”. Whether or not the fact that Governor Mike Huckabee is atop the rankings is relevant is not the point here. I have stated elsewhere that narrow polls such as online polls, straw polls, email polls, and other self-selected polling give little or no indication of who is a front-runner or how well a candidate will do next year.

Nevertheless, there are two things to be gained from this article. First, it is the opinion of many within the Iowa Political Superstructure (even those who are not part of the Huckabee team) that his on-the-ground-organization is still intact. While a few leaders may have abandoned him, the rank and file apparently have not. Second, there is no reason to believe that this can’t be replicated in many other states. Perhaps, Huckabee was crazy-like-a-fox in 2008 when he continued to campaign in Virginia, Texas, Wisconsin, Kansas, and other states after Mitt Romney dropped out. Remember, Huckabee got the endorsement of the Dallas Morning News after Super Tuesday.

80% of those polled picked Huckabee to win, half the remaining (including former WHO-Radio talk show host, Steve Deace, left him off the ballot, believing he won’t run)

 

The remainder of the top five finishers were Tim Pawlenty (great news for him!), Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, and Michelle Bachmann.

You May Also Like

Why I (Likely) Won’t Be Voting for Donald Trump

Shane Vander Hart explains why it is extremely unlikely he will cast a vote for Donald Trump in November should he become the Republican nominee.

A Preview of South Carolina and Super Tuesday Democratic Primaries

Of the 13 states with polling, Bernie Sanders leads in eight states, Joe Biden and Mike Bloomberg in two, and Amy Klobuchar in one.

King Leads Feenstra by Seven in New Poll of Iowa 4th Congressional District Republicans

A new poll of Iowa 4th Congressional District Republicans shows U.S. Rep. Steve King leading State Sen. Randy Feenstra by 41 percent to 34 percent.

Rick Santorum Wins Our Labor Day Presidential Preference Poll

Former U.S. Senator and 2012 Iowa Caucus winner Rick Santorum wins our Presidential preference poll, drops to fourth place among Iowa participants.