Sunday, January 13, 2008

Huckabee Splitting Evangelical Political Support

David Kirkpatrick writes on the front page of today's New York Times that Mike Huckabee's candidacy is splitting the evangelical movement's political support, as the Michigan and South Carolina primaries approach. "Old guard" evangelical leaders are "wary of his populist approach to economic issues and his criticism of the Bush administration’s foreign policy." However younger, grass roots evangelicals are enthusiastic about Huckabee's emphasis on social justice issues. While the Huckabee campaign has not spent money in Michigan, conservative Christian activist Gary Glenn, from Midland, is leading an informal get-out-the-vote effort. Many young evangelicals are signing up for online meet-up groups, and volunteers are aiming their campaign at Michigan Catholics as well as evangelicals. Grass Roots efforts around the country are being coordinated through an unofficial website known as Huck's Army.com.