Huckabee says Palin controversy reveals her strength

MINNETONKA, Minn. -- Former GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee told the Pennsylvania delegation over breakfast this morning that Bristol Palin's pregnancy will help, not hurt her mother, Gov. Sarah Palin, with evangelical voters.

"People of faith aren't people of perfection," Huckabee said.

"The polar opposite to what the media is predicting is happening."

Huckabee, former Arkansas governor, has strong credentials with social conservatives, a voting bloc that helped him surprisingly win the Iowa caucus in January.

He complimented Palin for how she has handled the difficult past few days.

"That's the ultimate test, and Sarah Palin is pursing it with flying colors," Huckabee said.

The former governor then pivoted to extol to the gathered delegates the importance of their vote in Pennsylvania.

"You good folks are going to be critical," he said.

Delegates were urged throughout the morning to help form the kind of grassroots campaign seen in Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's campaign. They said they know they can't match the scope of Obama's efforts, but speakers said they can do enough to win the election.

Huckabee told the crowd he's happy his home state is no longer a battleground state. By November, Pennsylvanians might wish their state's wasn't either, he said.

"You're going to wish somebody else was a battleground state by the time it's all over," he said, drawing laughs.