Former Baptist minister Huckabee thanks God for poll surge

A rock ’n’ roll guitar-playing former pastor from the south, Mike Huckabee’s homey, grassroots appeal and unapologetic confidence in his views could serve him well on the road to the White House.

The 52-year-old former Arkansas governor has moved to the front of the Republican presidential hopefuls in the run-up to the Iowa caucuses, where his humble, down-to-earth approach has been received well in the state’s sitting rooms, diners and community halls.