SNEAK PEEK: How the Grinch Stole Iowa

December 19, 2007— -- 15 Days Until the Iowa Caucuses

Mike Huckabee got an early Christmas present today, a new poll wrapped up with a bow. The other Republican candidates may be feeling as if they are more likely to get coal in their Iowa stockings.

The latest ABC News/Washington Post poll finds that the Huckaboom of November was not a fluke and his upward momentum continues. At 35 percent support among likely Republican caucus-goers, Huckabee has widened his lead over the longtime Iowa GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney who has 27 percent support. Huckabee's incredible Iowa surge is being driving by the overwhelming support of Christian evangelical voters.

ABC's polling director Gary Langer writes, "Huckabee, who jumped into contention in Iowa a month ago, has soared further among his key groups -- weekly churchgoers, abortion opponents, conservatives and, above all, evangelical Protestants, who account for nearly four in 10 likely caucus-goers. They now favor Huckabee over Romney by a 3-1 margin, 57 percent to 19 percent.

Read all of the numbers here.

Huckabee, Romney, Fred Thompson and Tom Tancredo are all out in Iowa on Thursday. Rep. Tancredo has a major announcement at 3:00 pm ET in Des Moines.

On another front…every December the ad gurus on Madison Avenue come up with new ways to tie their product to the holidays and catch the eye of the American consumer (and to catch their dollars).

The major presidential contenders already have plenty of Americans' dollars, and now they're trying to get last minute votes with holiday themed ads.

Four more Christmas-ish campaign commercials were released on Wednesday - and they are as priceless as MasterCard ads.

Hillary Clinton is seen packing presents for all Americans to enjoy. Tucker Carlson is going to be very excited that the senator finds her Universal Pre-K package in the ad. LINK

Unsurprisingly Sen. Barack Obama's explains how "the things that unite us is more powerful and enduring than anything that sets us apart." Obama's attractive wife and daughters were along for the ride (move over Huxtables). LINK

Even more unsurprisingly, Rudy Giuliani's kids were no where to be found is his ad - no Judith Nathan either. Santa keeps the former mayor company. LINK

John Edwards appeared by himself with a holiday lecture about fighting for those living in poverty. LINK