Huckabee's trouncing of Mitt Romney, despite being outspent by a factor something like 15 to 1, is a great political story. It has turned doubters into believers and it's now appreciated that he is a real and viable national candidate. The "Huckaboom" has been evident in that he has soared in national polling along with his emergence in Iowa.

I found it particularly rewarding that Huckabee even finished first among Iowa Republicans who said that their number one issue was terrorism.

Clearly the man is touching Americans. The plethora of televised national debates played a critical role, making it possible to get to know him without his having to have tens of millions on hand to spend on ads.

The road out of Iowa is, of course, long and many chapters remain after this first one.

There's a lot of talk about an independent run -- possibly Michael Bloomberg.

To the extent history tells us anything, third party candidates only serve to be spoilers. But I don't think this is what this about anyway.

I don't believe Americans today are looking for political technicians. I think they want to reach down, rediscover, and re-embrace the principles that have made this such a great nation.

I see a hint of prevailing sentiment in a Gallup poll of last week asking voters how important a consideration "family values" will be in their selection of a candidate. Seventy five percent replied either "extremely important" or "very important."

Huckabee and Obama are studies in contrasts that draw a line that will define this election. Stay tuned.