That Nutty Christian Huckabee

There's a theory afoot that the recent rise in Mike Huckabee's fortunes is due to a desire on the part of the mainstream media for a Republican that fits their stereotype.

They've tried repeatedly to amp up every social issue to create internal conflict, by hyperventilating, for example, over Rudy's multiple marriages or pro-choice stance, or by supposedly showing off the crazed intolerance of the Republicans for supporting the longstanding policy on gays in the military. Each one of these items fizzled, in the sense that they haven't managed to provoke some red-faced, fire-and-brimstone response from the Christian base - which is viewed by the large segments of the coastal media in only the most stereotypical terms.

So, the theory goes, push Huckabee. He'll be a better punching bag in the general, since his background positions him close enough to the president as a whack-job Christian who wants to impose some strict vision on the tolerant center. And right out of the gate Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen couldn't wait to start landing a few punches:

The Republican presidential field has some feeble minds and some dangerous ones as well, but none has done as much damage as Huckabee has. Religion does not belong in the political arena. It does not lend itself to compromise.

Translation: I'm still sputtering with anger over the fact that my fellow citizens elected this primate to the presidency, and I'll do everything in my power to prevent anyone with anything like his beliefs (religious, political or otherwise) near the reigns of power in the future.

Those in the media class never quite understand how many people they are insulting when they assume this narrow-minded and intolerant stance towards religious folks. Speaking as an entrenched moderate on many social issues, I still have respect for people with religious beliefs that are strong enough that they have a direct connection to policy and politics. They should be heard alongside everyone else - even while we must ultimately consider the pluralistic nature of our society.

But I'm not convinced that the media is capable of pulling the strings to the extent that they can cause a candidate to rise in the polls with such sudden force. Social conservatives have been looking for a champion up until this point in the cycle - and while Huckabee is hardly ideal (he's wrong for all segments on immigration) - he might be worth another look, and his candidacy might be hitting it's stride.

All around, this is turning out to be a real, rip-snortin' horse race.