Huckabee got a toehold in the race through good debate performances. He’s been the new “it” candidate since Ames, enjoying a poll bump and, according to his report in last week’s media call, some fundraising and organizational improvements. He has the most to lose by Thompson’s entry but, he has argued, poses a danger to Thompson whom he leads in several early state polls.(Coming in behind Huckabee in Iowa for example would be a problem for Thompson.) Here’s what his spokeswoman Kirsten Fedewa relayed from Huckabee about tonight: “The debates are an important forum for people to judge us for themselves–not from a highly tested and consultant-driven tv spot, but the actual candidates having to answer questions they may not expecting. I always look forward to the challenge.”