Mike Huckabee: Rick Perry Suffering in Polls Over Poor Performance, Not Faith
Fox News host Mike Huckabee believes Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s low poll numbers are due to his unspectacular debate performances.
In perhaps a direct response to Perry's wife, Anita Perry, who said at an appearance in North Greenville University in Tigerville, S.C.:
"We are being brutalized by our opponents, and our own party. So much of that is, I think, they look at him because of his faith. He is the only true conservative – well, there are some true conservatives. And they’re there for good reasons. And they may feel like God called them too. But I truly feel like we are here for that purpose," as reported by MSNBC.
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Friday, Huckabee made an appearance on Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor" to offer a contrarian view:
"Rick Perry's numbers are down because his debate performances have been extremely less than spectacular, and I'm being charitable."
Huckabee continued with his assessment: "Gov. Perry started at the top ... but his repeat debate performances and the fact that he has not been able to find his footing on some key issues has just made people start looking elsewhere."
This could be considered keen insight from the former presidential candidate, who was the winner of a number of referendums during the 2008 campaign, only to finish second to eventual Republican nominee John McCain.
Still, some might wonder if this might be owing to a reported chilly relationship between the two evangelicals, which stemmed from Perry's endorsement of former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani instead of the Arkansas governor in the 2008 campaign.
Whatever the case, Huckabee, known for his easygoing charm and a great presence before the cameras, might be offering a valid assessment of the Texas governor, who having entered the race as a celebrated frontrunner, has finished third in a recent NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, behind businessman Herman Cain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
