UPDATE: December 5: Huckabee News Roundup

UPDATE: Huckabee remains in the #1 spot in Rasmussen's daily tracking poll for Thursday:

In the race for the Republican Presidential Nomination, Mike Huckabee retains a three-point edge with support from 21% of Likely Republican Primary Voters nationwide while Rudy Giuliani is the top choice for 18%. Mitt Romney earns 12% while Fred Thompson and John McCain each attract 11%. Ron Paul is the only other candidate with measurable support and he currently attracts 8% of Likely Republican Primary voters nationwide.

Also, the latest Hitwise data shows mikehuckabee.com web traffic is unmatched by any top-tier GOP candidates. Ron Paul hangs on to a narrow lead (37% to Huckabee's 36%), with none of the other candidates even reaching double digits. When the Dems are added to the mix, Huckabee trails Ron Paul by less than 1 percent, but has nearly double the traffic of Obama and triple that of Senator Clinton.

The Washington Post comments on the Democrats' fear of a Huckabee nomination:

Mike Huckabee's rapid rise in the Republican presidential race is prompting concern among some Democratic strategists who believe that the former Arkansas governor could become a daunting general election foe should he secure the GOP nomination.

These operatives believe that Huckabee's profile -- former Baptist minister, southern governor, fitness preacher -- and self-effacing style on the stump could prove an appealing combination for moderate and independent voters.

"Mike Huckabee is the Republican that probably worries me the most," said Wooten Johnson, a Democratic strategist based in Louisiana. "Unlike the other Republicans, he isn't flawed in the eyes of the Republican base. But more importantly, he has a record of being a true compassionate conservative. He will be able to attract those suburban voters that don't want to vote for [a] Democrat."

John Anzalone, a Democratic pollster based in Alabama, offered a similar sentiment about Huckabee: "He is the type of person who plays well in both a People Magazine profile, on Leno and in debates," said Anzalone. "Real people seem to see a bit of themselves in Huck, and I think he will be difficult to demonize."

Anzalone added that while he was not "terrified" of a Huckabee candidacy, he could "see [the former governor] hitting a chord with the public beyond primary voters."

For months, Democrats have been game-planning for what a general election would look like against one of four possible candidates: Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, John McCain and Fred Thompson. But Huckabee's recent surge in (and nationally) has forced Democrats to consider the prospect of facing off against him next November.

A California poll from Survey USA shows Huckabee tied for 3rd place:

Giuliani 32
McCain 18
Huckabee 14
Romney 14
Thompson 13

2 new polls from Quinnipiac show Huckabee climbing in the swing states of Ohio and Pennsylvania:

Ohio

Rudy Giuliani 29% (27%)
John McCain 13% (12%)
Mike Huckabee 10% (7%)
Mitt Romney 7% (11%)
Fred Thompson 7% (13%)
Ron Paul 4% (2%)
Undecided 21%

Pennsylvania

Rudy Giuliani 27% (29%)
Mike Huckabee 13% (6%)
John McCain 13% (12%)
Mitt Romney 6% (7%)
Fred Thompson 6% (11%)
Ron Paul 4% (4%)
Undecided 23%