Huckabee Scales Back Florida Campaign, supporters hope for boost from former Thompson supporters

Huckabee Scales Back Florida Campaign

Tampa Bay Online
updated 11 minutes ago

By William March of The Tampa Tribune

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22791760/



US Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee watches a Dance Tribute to Yolanda King by the New Life Dance Ministry while attending the Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, January 21, 2008. Yolanda King was the daughter of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. who passed away in 2007. REUTERS/Tami Chappell (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008 (USA)

TAMPA - Plagued by an empty bank account, GOP presidential contender Mike Huckabee has cut back his Florida schedule to a bare minimum and may be aiming his campaign at Super Tuesday on Feb. 5 rather than the Sunshine State on Jan. 29.

Nevertheless, his supporters hope for a boost from former supporters of Fred Thompson, who announced Tuesday he's leaving the race. "He'll get an enormous boost – there's a natural affinity with a social conservative like Huckabee," said state Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, a Huckabee backer.

His leading opponents – former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney – have posted heavy schedules of rallies, town hall meetings and speeches.

Although Huckabee is expected to be a major player in Florida, he has come into the state for one event a day while also hitting events in other states – in Atlanta today and a planned event in Arkansas Wednesday, for example.

Winning FL would put $$ into his coffer.

:rofl: