DES MOINES, Iowa – Gov. Mike Huckabee had a very successful turnout at Sunday night’s double screening of God’s Not Dead 2 in Iowa ahead of Monday’s caucus. When the event was announced, it was so popular the organizers had to open it up to two theaters. It received rave reviews all around.
“They loved it,” Huckabee said.
The former Arkansas governor saw the sequel for the first time Sunday and said it was actually better than the first. What made it so powerful, he explained, was how plausible the story was. God’s Not Dead 2 follows a high school teacher who is dragged into court after simply talking about Jesus in her classroom.
He praised the “brilliant script” and powerful courtroom scenes, yet said the “Oscar winning moment of the film” was when a governor named “Huckabee” made a cameo.
The fact that there were no empty seats Sunday night made the governor hopeful that religious freedom is still an influential factor in voters’ decision to take part in the political process.
Religious liberties, he said, are “under assault” and people are noticing this “criminalization of Christianity.”
Especially, he added, when people are “fined or jailed or charged with hate crimes because they hold to very traditional beliefs which were celebrated 25 years ago.”
The governor said the film made the audience realize that putting people in office is a major influence in regards to the direction of our culture and freedoms.
Huckabee is also hopeful Sunday’s full theaters will translate into votes.
“Several told me they’d caucus for me,” he said.
Since this isn’t Huckabee’s first caucus, I asked him whether Iowans are still as passionate as they have been in previous elections.
“Without a doubt,” he said. “So many candidates are clamoring for their attention and affection.”
Huckabee also senses a unique anger among voters who feel like Washington has “ignored and abused them.”
Iowans will have their chance to send Washington a message as they start voting tonight at 7 p.m. Stay tuned for exclusive coverage.