By Tyler Page
Mike Huckabee rose to the top of Iowa polls and was second nationally in the Republican presidential primary in polls conducted last week.
Newsweek released a poll Dec. 7 that showed Huckabee with 39 percent support in the upcoming Iowa caucus, giving him a 22-point lead over Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass.
Experts differ on who will win Iowa. According to the Politico Web site, Romney has a better organization there, which could have an affect on the election.
Organization is critical in Iowa because the caucus is not traditional American secret ballot voting. It takes multiple hours and two ballots where everyone can see how each person votes.
If a candidate gets less than 15 percent of the vote on the first ballot, their supporters disband and choose a new candidate to support. Friends and neighbors can persuade their neighbors before the second ballot.
Additionally, the caucus will take place the night of the FedEx Orange Bowl - a BCS Bowl game in NCAA football. The game, which will feature Virginia Tech and Kansas, could keep lukewarm supporters at home.
Romney's recent speech on religion may also influence the situation.
Huckabee's support has largely come from evangelical Christians. However, Romney's speech may have persuaded some who previously had doubts about him.
'I think the speech was well received by many evangelicals, including prominent leaders,' said Mark DeMoss, a prominent evangelical who supports Romney. 'I believe the way Romney beats Huckabee in Iowa, or any state, is to highlight his competence and experience.'
DeMoss said both Romney and Huckabee share his values regarding family life. He chooses to support Romney because he is more qualified based on his experience running large enterprises.
' is a man of faith, a man of character and integrity - a man perhaps more qualified to be president than anyone running in either party in my lifetime,' DeMoss said in an interview via e-mail.
Huckabee's newfound spotlight has drawn media attention to some controversial actions that broke this week.
Huckabee's office declined to return phone calls for comment.
The Drudge Report posted a story Tuesday claiming the Democratic National Committee has stopped its operatives from attacking Huckabee, in an effort to help him win the nomination. The report said Democrats think Huckabee would be an easy opponent in the 2008 presidential election.
In 1992, Huckabee said AIDS patients should be isolated, but refused to recant the statement on Sunday, according to the Associated Press.
As governor of Arkansas, Huckabee pressured a parole board to release a convicted rapist because he was 'born again,' according to the Los Angeles Times. The Times reported that the parolee murdered a woman less than a year after release.
Huckabee said he did not issue a pardon and that ultimate responsibility falls to the parole board.