New Poll Of Conservatives Gives Huckabee Wide Lead Over All Challengers
Huckabee Leads All Other Candidates By 2-To-1 Margin Among Conservatives; Thompson Loses Nearly Half His Support Since September

12/11/07, For Immediate Release. Grassfire.org

Maxwell, IA . The nation's largest statistically valid survey of grassroots conservatives has found that Mike Huckabee now enjoys a 2-to-1 margin of support over his nearest competitor -- a dramatic shift from a similar poll conducted in September.

When asked whom they would vote for if the Republican primary were held today, 34 percent of grassroots conservatives preferred Huckabee -- an increase from just 7% in the September Grassfire poll. Fred Thompson, who led Grassfire's May and September polls by wide margins, finished second and lost nearly half his suport (16% down from 28% in September). Grassfire.org conducted the survey December 1-9, 2007 of all active Grassfire.org team members. Over 67,000 participated and the survey has a margin of error of less than 1% at a 99% confidence level for the Grassfire.org audience.

"Grassroots conservatives are taking a closer look at Huckabee and apparently like what they see," said Steve Elliott, President of Grassfire.org. "It is a remarkable turnaround. Since the other candidates showed little change from our September poll, it is the equivalent of all the potential Gingrich supporters turning to Huckabee after Newt dropped out, plus half the Thompson supporters."

Huckabee's Support Has Wide, Deep Potential
The poll also found that grassroots conservatives find Hucakbee among the most trustworthy on the issue of stopping illegal immigration -- in a statistical dead-heat with immigration stalwart Tom Tancredo with each at 20 percent. "Grassroots conservatives at this point in time trust Mike Huckabee with their most important issue -- securing our borders," says Elliott. In addition, 25% of grassroots conservatives now think Huckabee will win the nomination -- up from just 2 percent in September. And among the major Republican candidates, Huckabee is the least likely to spark an exodus if he wins. "All these factors indicate Huckabee's surge may have staying power and his upside potential is high," says Elliott.

Other key findings:

•Border Security is #1 issue: Nine of ten grassroots conservatives list "securing our borders" among their top issues. Other key issues in order of importance: Reducing the tax burden (66%), Second Amendment rights (65%), Iraq War--Stay the Course (64%), Defend traditional marrage (61%), Protecting the Unborn (58%).

•Giuliani still expected to win: Conservatives continue to expect Giuliani to win the nomination, although Huckabee has risen to a clear second.

•Giuliani most likely to spark exodus, Huckabee least likely: Conservatives continue to warn of an exodus from the G.O.P. should Giuliani face Clinton in the general election with 30% indicating they would abstain or vote for a third party. Huckabee (17%) and Thompson (17%) were the least likely to spark an exodus.

•Clinton still expected to win Democratic nomination, but gap narrows: Conservatives still expect Hillary Clinton to win the Democratic nomination but the margin of expectation has dropped from 70% in September to 62% in December.

•Thompson biggest loser since September, but losses not likely done: Thompson lost nearly half his support among grassroots conservatives since September (16% down from 28%). More telling, just 7% now expect him to win (down from 26% in September), indicating Thompson's slide may continue.

•Ron Paul continues to show significant support among grassroots conservatives.