GOP presidential hopeful
Mike Huckabee fared well with a group of Iowa activists who found him down to earth and likeable. Sarah Palin was viewed as inexperienced and opportunistic and Mitt Romney was branded an elitist, arrogant, and a flip-flopper,
The Washington Post reported.
The newspaper, with the help of Republican Party chairs in Dallas County and Crawford County, put together two groups of activists totaling 21 people to assess the field of 2012 presidential hopefuls. One country was suburban and the other rural.
Dr. Christi Taylor said she wanted to like and support the former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate but she “can't quite do it. I think she's a great inspirational person. I think she rallies the troops. I don't think she has what it takes to actually lead our country into a better economic future,” the Post said.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich drew favorable comments for his intelligence and experience but was also dubbed unelectable, not honest, polarizing and drew concerns over his two divorces. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour played well with the rural activists who found him charismatics and common-sense, but suburbanites worried about his southern roots and whether he could attract young voters, the Post said.
Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty was viewed as “one of us” but many wondered how he would play outside of Iowa. The activists also thought that that Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., could give Palin a run for her money, the Post said.
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