Today, Mike Huckabee announced his endorsement of Florida Senate hopeful Marco Rubio.
As we’ve discussed before on 3BP, the Rubio/Crist primary best exemplifies the most prevalent fight in the GOP today, moderation versus traditional conservatism, with a focus on fiscal conservatism.
Make no mistake, Huckabee’s endorsement didn’t come out of thin air. In fact, last year Rubio took his turn to endorse Huckabee in the middle of the Presidential primaries. Back then, many barely noticed. But now when Huck, the candidate many fiscal conservatives disowned during the primaries, endorsed the conservative hero that Rubio has become, Huckabee may see some wind blow into his sails.
If Rubio wins the primary versus Crist (and that’s a big if), he will instantly become a GOP celebrity. Up against an NRSC endorsement and much of the GOP establishment, he will become the new, fresh face of conservatism that has brought them back from the brink.
And he’ll support Mike Huckabee in the 2012 primaries.
And if that happens, conservatism’s celebrity will force many to make a choice – reevaluate Huckabee or lessen Rubio by ignoring his endorsement.
