Is Mike Huckabee a candidate for the GOPer presidential nomination in 2016?

By Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

…Normally, I am loathe to highlight GOPer events, especially fundraisers, but the “hidden” subtext on this one is so blatant that it merits coverage…

And before anyone thinks that would be surprise, it should be noted that no real GOP “frontrunner” has emerged, the closest being Rand Paul.  Given the pattern of the last couple of presidential election cycles, being anointed the “frontrunner” more than a couple of weeks out from the start of the Iowa caucuses is something to be avoided, not desired.

Mike Huckabee is not even mentioned much as someone who is a viable 2016 candidate for the Rs (not that he’s being completely discounted, either) but he’s doing the things that “serious” candidates do in midterm election years –

While higher-profile candidates such as Chris Christie are trekking to Iowa, New Hampshire, and other 2016 early primary/caucus states to make appearances in front of R voters there almost a year and half before any votes are cast, he’s out racking up IOUs campaigning for R electeds and candidates running this year.

To whit, from the events page of the Pima County GOP:

Now Franks, as well as Salmon, Gosar, and Schweikert, sits in a seat in a district that is so safely R that he faces no serious Democratic opposition, nor is any expected for the foreseeable future.  For him (and them) building a campaign war chest is all about looking so strong that any potential primary challengers are scared off (is Ben Quayle still looking for a job?)

Doubtless, much money will end up in Franks’ coffers (and those of Salmon, Gosar, and Schweikert) as a result of Huckabee’s visit.

What remains to be seen is if Huckabee, a big Bible guy, reaps benefits from the political version of “casting bread upon the waters“.