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IowaPolitics.com: Convention-goers favor Huckabee, Romney for VP
7/13/2008

By Matt Clark
IowaPolitics.com

DES MOINES -- Mike Huckabee was the favorite to be on the Republican ticket as vice president in an informal poll taken at the Iowa Republican Party’s State Convention on Saturday. Huckabee finished easily as the top choice among the several dozen convention attendees polled, with Mitt Romney coming in a distant second.

Huckabee’s win in the survey came after delivering a warmly received speech to delegates at Saturday’s convention in Des Moines, six months after he won the state’s GOP caucuses.

“He really is a captivating speaker. You listen to him and know he means what he is saying and is passionate in his conviction,” Sheila Bright said. “Plus, you look at how he energizes these young people and can’t help but be sure that he would be an asset to McCain in getting the youth vote in November.”

Many of those who listed Huckabee at the top of their list to fill the VP spot said they liked him for the job for many of the same reasons they supported him in the January caucuses.

“His commitment to personal and public morality is moving,” Becky Hemphill said. “You can really tell that he is a man of faith. As far as politics go, he is right on everything from illegal immigrants to the flat tax.”

Mitt Romney was praised for his business savvy and embodiment of strong family values.

“He has a good economic sense that leads me to believe he would be a good adviser to McCain on matters of the economy,” Connie Schmedt said. “Plus he’s just a class act kind of guy. He is good to his family and we need that kind of example in our elected officials.”

Also mentioned as possibilities for vice president were Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.


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