[MNGal]

Just curious, but how is Cain = Huckabee? I thought that Huckabee was more moderate in his views, except on social issues.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

I think what is meant by the Cain = Huckabee comparison is that he plays the same role in the race—the longshot/underdog who, because of the debates, is catapulted into a contender position.

[Huck]

It's not a perfect fit on issues. I'm just looking at the campaign dynamics. Clearly, Romney is McCain. The base doesn't like him, but he can and may win by default depending on what conservatives do.

Like Huckabee, Cain is an insurgent campaign, trying to appeal to the base. Huckabee also was a Fair Tax guy. And they both are skillful pitchmen.

The big difference between the two is that Cain has no record, because he's never held elective office. So his talk has never been tested. Had Huckabee run with no record, just based on his talk, he might have won it.

That's not to say Cain would govern the way Huckabee governed, it just means it's easy to say the right things when you've never had to prove it.

If Cain draws significant base support, but not enough to win, then he ends up like Huckabee did--in second place. Cain has to clear the conservative field to compete. That means Perry, Gingrich, Bachmann, and Santorum all have to go away by the time votes are being counted. If not, Romney still has a chance.