I just returned from New Hampshire where I spent all day Wednesday on the trail with Governor Mike Huckabee. I'll be writing more about the trip in the future, but my brief take is this: overall Huckabee was quite well received. Many of the folks I talked to were getting their first look at the Governor in person, and most generally liked what they saw and heard from him. Up close Huckabee is a pretty darn good retail politician; warm, funny, quick on his feet - yet still remarkably disciplined.

On paper Huckabee doesn't necessarily look like the best fit to do well in New Hampshire, but then again neither did Bill Clinton. My sense is that if Huckabee puts in enough quality time with New Hampshire Republicans he may fare better - perhaps much better - than many currently expect.

As I said, I'll have more on this later, but in the meantime here's a smattering of local news coverage of Huckabee's trip:

Huckabee Touts Warm Reception During Visit To N.H. - WMUR

Huckabee defends his record on taxes - Nashua Telegraph

Huckabee takes it easy in Concord - Concord Monitor

Huckabee: Disease prevention should be goal - New Hampshire Union-Leader/AP

Huckabee calls Bush's policies taking away state's rights 'horrible' - Boston Globe

Interview with Laura Knoy of New Hampshire Public Radio