Just two weeks shy of the Iowa primary, the contest for the Republican presidential nomination has shifted into high gear, with former Arkansas governor (note to aspiring politicos: Arkansas is apparently not the worst place to cultivate presidential ambitions) Mike Huckabee rising quickly through GOP ranks to take the lead. But he’ll have to put some serious money down on his campaign to keep from being a flash in the pan, or, as he put it, a “one-night stand.”


CBS News:

It was only last week that Huckabee first aired ads on television in New Hampshire and South Carolina. His first ad in Iowa only aired a week before Thanksgiving, and he’s spent approximately $800,000 on advertising there.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, in comparison, went up on television in February and has spent $7 million on advertising in Iowa alone.

Yet in a matter of weeks Huckabee has achieved what Romney could not in nearly a year.

Not only does Huckabee lead in Iowa, but polls show he is now ahead in the crucial state of South Carolina and contesting Rudy Giuliani both in Florida and nationally.

Read more

Wait, before you go…

If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface.  We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.

Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.

Support Truthdig