It's all about trust. That's how Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's state co-chair Bob Vander Plaats explained Thursday's caucus victory. Vander Plaats said Iowans sensed they could trust the former Arkansas governor.

"I think the deciding factor was the people of Iowa trust Gov. Huckabee," Vander Plaats said. "I heard that over and over again. They said we may not agree on everything, but we trust him. When you are looking for a leader, that is a non-negotiable variable."

Huckabee Iowa Campaign Director Eric Woolson said he had listened to the media discuss how the governor didn't have the organization of fellow GOP rivals, including Mitt Romney, the second-place finisher. But he said the organization was there Thursday, and Vander Plaats agreed.

"Passion produces organization," Vander Plaats said. "We had people genuinely energized. People knew Gov. Huckabee was outspent, and they knew every vote mattered."

Both Woolson and Vander Plaats participated in their caucuses before returning to the Embassy Suites in Des Moines to watch as the results were phoned into the tabulation center.

Vander Plaats will continue to help Huckabee and is shipping out this weekend to New Hampshire. Woolson, who said he could be dispatched to South Carolina, is in the process of closing down the Iowa office.

"We will have that conversation soon," he said. "I could go on to South Carolina. Whatever it is I will be just fine. I certainly would like to continue in some role."

Huckabee was polling at less than 1 percent in May, and caught fire in the closing weeks leading up to the caucus. Woolson attributes much of that success to Huckabee being a strong candidate.

"It is a historic win," Woolson said.

Labels: Republicans