Mike Huckabee Quietly Slips Into Third Place Among GOP Hopefuls

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has virtually slipped under most political radar, however according to the latest polling by the very reputable Rasmussen organization, has now become the third place candidate among GOP hopefuls at 13% support, more than John McCain or Mitt Romney at 12% each. Rudolph Giuliani continues to lead the pack with 24% support and Fred Thompson lags behind at 17%.

Giuliani garnered the endorsement of Rev. Pat Robinson today. However the Christian Right and social conservatives continue to split amomg mainly Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee. The task for Huckabee is now to become the conservative alternative to Thompson and shore up that strength. Numerically social conservatives in the GOP are probably strong enough to defeat Rudolh Giuliani is they could just settle around a single candidate and not split their votes between Thompson and Huckabee, and some minor candidates.

Meanwhile maverick Congressman Ron Paul surprised everyone by raising around $4 million in a concentrated internet appeal, although he is an extreme longshot in the GOP race and highly unlikely to wrest the nomination for himself.