Conservatives split on Huckabee

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Conservatives have split on whether Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee is the party's salvation or downfall.

Some influential conservatives said the former governor from Arkansas could keep evangelicals from deserting the GOP to form a third party, while others describe him as too liberal on fiscal matters for Republican voters.

As governor, Huckabee opposed abortion and same-sex marriage but was more lenient when it came to taxes, social welfare spending and illegal immigration, conservatives who oppose Huckabee told The Washington Times in a story published Monday.

Huckabee, however, could prevent the GOP from fracturing, said Christian radio talk-show host Janet L. Folger.

"Do you know another Republican besides Huckabee who got 48 percent of the African-American vote?" Folger said. "Add to that a mobilized Republican base and there is no one better than Huckabee to take on Hillary (Clinton)."

Sen. Hillary Clinton,. D-N.Y., is considered the front-runner for the Democratic Party nomination for president.