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Huckabee Tests Limits of Faith

Preaching prompted a backlash in Arkansas; in Iowa, will Christian soldiers come out?

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 31, 2007 7:05 PM CST

(Newser) – Mike Huckabee is banking on his deep Christian faith drawing voters to him in the presidential primaries, but that same passion has proven a liability in the past. As Arkansas governor, Huckabee made several religious molehills into mountains big enough for Moses, the LA Times reports in an examination of his tenure. Detractors called the religiosity of the man they dubbed the "Rev.-Gov." high-handed.

In Iowa, Huckabee is banking on faith rather than an army of operatives like Mitt Romney's.  The state's conservative Christians have responded warmly, but whether that personal response will translate into an outpouring of votes is anybody's guess, Salon reports. Victory in Iowa, says Huckabee, would be a miracle.

In this photographt taken with a video camera, Republican presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee, speaks during a news conference in Indianola, Iowa Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007.  (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
In this photographt taken with a video camera, Republican presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee, speaks during a news conference in Indianola, Iowa Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee appears on Meet the Press' Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, as he is interviewed by moderator Tim Russert in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Meet The Press, Alex Wong)
Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee appears on "Meet the Press'" Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, as he is interviewed by moderator Tim Russert in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Meet...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee, shakes hands with supporters at a rally in Indianola, Iowa Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Republican presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee, shakes hands with supporters at a rally in Indianola, Iowa Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)   (Associated Press)
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