Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee predicted Sunday that Mitt Romney will win the Iowa caucuses despite not having spent much time or money there.
One big reason: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has been hurt by negative advertisements against him put out by his rivals. Huckabee, 56, made the prediction in an appearance on "FOX News Sunday."
"I mean, Newt is a good candidate. He's had a great message," Huckabee said. "But he has been pounded by Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Rick Perry and pretty much anybody who has 15 cents to buy part of an ad.
"The truth is, negative ads continually are used because they work."
Huckabee said Romney should emerge as the clear winner, though Ron Paul could see a surge in support.
"I would probably say that Mitt Romney will end up winning it today," Huckabee told host Chris Wallace.
"Now, I think, again, Ron Paul, because of his organization, that is where Mitt is at a disadvantage. He doesn't have the devotion," he went on.
"If the weather is good, Mitt Romney is in better shape. If the weather is bad and it's real tough to get out, Ron Paul would win."
Romney was likely to benefit from the fact evangelical voters in Iowa have yet to rally around a conservative candidate.
"Mitt Romney could win the Iowa caucus if the vote splinters among a lot of the conservatives who haven't yet made up their mind," Huckabee predicted.
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