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IowaPolitics.com: Huckabee pleased with post-Ames traction
8/30/2007

By Chris Dorsey
IowaPolitics.com

Mike Huckabee likes what he sees from his presidential campaign. The former Arkansas governor is gaining traction in many of the early nominating states.

Phone calls and e-mails are coming from potential supporters asking how they can make a donation to his Oval Office quest. And, more important, the Republican hopeful has gained significant national attention from the media and potential voters after being thrust into the spotlight after a second-place finish at the Ames GOP straw poll.

There was an evident tone of excitement in Huckabee's voice after learning he finished runner-up to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in Ames. That tone was still present Wednesday as Huckabee discussed his campaign in an telephone interview with IowaPolitics.com.

"Things are going great," Huckabee said. "Everything from the foundation of our campaign to fundraising and crowds."

After his strong finish in Iowa nearly three weeks ago, Huckabee's campaign had him stumping in New Hampshire and South Carolina as well as doing interviews on national news programs. He credits the straw poll for taking his efforts to a new level.

"A lot of this is coming from our effort in Ames," Huckabee said. "I saw a lot of enthusiasm (in N.H. and S.C.). People are energetic where the campaign is going."

He is speaking to crowds two to four times bigger than the campaign had anticipated, he said. However, he said his crowds in Iowa were already growing in the weeks leading up to the straw poll.

"I felt it that week," he said. It wasn't a false hope. It was validated by the straw poll."

And, that success came with little financial resources. He spent much of the six weeks leading up to Ames campaigning throughout Iowa. Huckabee spent only two days in July at his home in Arkansas. When he returned home in August, Huckabee said he didn't know if his dogs would lick him or bite him when he walked through the front door.

That time on the road is paying off. Nearly 150 bloggers are now helping him deliver his message nationally. His presidential campaign Web site is also generating more traffic.

"We have had 3.2 million hits to our Web site," said Huckabee, who added the fundaising component is also coming together as he will be attending fundraising events in 16 states in the coming weeks.

Huckabee made his first trip to Iowa this week since Ames to speak Tuesday at the LIVESTRONG GOP presidential cancer forum in Cedar Rapids. He and Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback were the only Republicans to participate in the event.

On Wednesday, after speakng at a campaign event in Pella, Huckabee said the Republican debates also have played a role in his rise.

"The debates help me articulate my message," said Huckabee, who is anti-abortion, supports securing the borders and is a strong proponent of education and improving access to health care. "As that began to grow, people started paying attention."
Huckabee says now's not the time for "establishment" Republican


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