Frater Huckabee Wins Another Straw Poll, Gains Support

LITTLE ROCK, AR - South Carolina conservatives continue to rally around Frater Mike Huckabee (Beta-Psi). Last week, Frater Huckabee won the Palmetto Family Council Straw Poll, garnering 206 of the 539 votes cast. Huckabee was picked as the favorite at the largest gathering of South Carolina conservatives before the January 19 Republican Primary. Every Republican Presidential candidate, except Rudy Giuliani, stressed the priority of this event with their presence in person, by video, or via speakerphone.

Governor Huckabee responded to his victory by stating, "I'm pleased, and proud, and honored to have the support of so many South Carolinians who believe, as I do, in the core values which define American culture and life. Historically, South Carolina has chosen every Republican nominee since Frater Ronald Reagan (Iota) and the inception of the South Carolina Republican Primary. South Carolina is quickly becoming Huckabee Country as South Carolina conservatives continue to coalesce around one candidate and together we will prevail."

Huckabee's victory comes just days after winning the Value Voters Debate Straw Poll with 63 percent of the vote and continues a trend which includes a strong Second Place finish at the Republican Party of Iowa Straw Poll last month in Ames; and finishing first and second respectively in April straw polls in Spartanburg and Greenville counties, which combine to make up nearly 20 percent of the Republican primary vote.

In other news, is there a Huckabee-Gingrich Alliance? Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has said he will enter the presidential race if his supporters can pledge $30 million support. But a recent online appearance by Gingrich suggests that at least one Republican hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, still doesn't see the former House speaker as a threat. Wired magazine reports that Gingrich was a guest blogger as part of Huckabee's "Vertical Day" initiative, an effort to build support for Huckabee's candidacy within the conservative blogging community.

Gingrich took advantage of the platform by calling on people to participate in his online American Solutions workshop, one part of which will include Huckabee himself -- the guitar player will lead a session on music and wellness education in American schools.

The collaboration between the two might be enough to stir speculation of a Gingrich/ Huckabee ticket in 2008, if either of them are seen as having a real shot at the nomination.

Adapted from Huckabee for President News Release and CBS News Report. If you would like to see your chapter news here, contact Communications Coordinator Tom McAninch.