In many ways, Mike Huckabee is the Rodney Dangerfield of the 2016 election.

The former Arkansas governor won the Iowa caucus in 2008 and subsequently finished second to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in GOP delegates earned. In recent polls, Huckabee is holding his own against several big-name candidates who have already entered the race. And he certainly passes the “I’d like to have a beer with him” test — despite being teetotal himself. But Huckabee isn’t getting much respect as a serious threat to win the nomination.
Huckabee is widely expected to announce his candidacy in a speech in his hometown of Hope, Ark., Tuesday morning. There is little doubt Huckabee will run — a news release last week from his campaign told the media to expect a “historic event.” Another announcement on Monday outlined travel plans for the rest of the week, including trips to Iowa and South Carolina.

The path to the nomination will be difficult for the Huckabee. The 59-year-old won’t be able to raise the money that his best-funded GOP rivals will, and his fiscal record has been questioned by the influential Club for Growth.

However, early polling data indicate he is a more serious candidate than his detractors claim.

The Real Clear Politics average of polls of Republican voters in Iowa puts Huckabee ahead of Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who have both already launched their campaigns.

Source: Niall Stanage, www.thehill.com