Editor’s note: In recent weeks, The St. Petersburg Times has been trying to make the case for how each major 2008 presidential contender could win. These aren’t predictions or endorsements, just food for thought. This week, they consider Republican candidate and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Former South Carolina Gov. David Beasley had planned to stay on the sidelines as Republican presidential contenders jockeyed for key endorsements in his widely watched primary state. Then he saw the debate performances of longshot presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor he had known for years. “ The last thing that would seem to be politically correct would be to jump on the horse of what appears to be a second-tier candidate. But after watching that last performance I felt that this guy should be president of the United States, and if I sit on the sidelines much longer, will he have much chance ? ” Beasley said. “ He’s in a position where if he’s going to make it to that first tier, he needs to do it now. ” So Beasley last weekend threw his potent endorsement to Huckabee, feeding the growing buzz that this Baptist preacher turned reformminded governor has a real shot to be the sleeper Republican contender of 2008. No question Huckabee had the one-liner of the last Fox News debate: “ We’ve had a Congress that’s spent money like John Edwards at a beauty shop. ” By week’s end his campaign Web site had added a barbershop pole to keep tally of badly needed campaign donations. To see those debates, or to see Huckabee mesmerize a living room or sprawling banquet hall of undecided Republicans, or hold his own against the likes of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert on TV, one can’t help wonder about all the pining among staunch conservatives for actor and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson. A proven conservative and strong communicator is already in the race, and this guy’s actually been an executive, instead of an actor playing one.