Mike Huckabee and Chuck Norris
Parker's Maple Barn, Mason, N.H., Jan. 7, 2008

I have to give former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and his kung fu buddy, Chuck Norris, credit. Unlike Romney, both of them instantly recognize Dahlia is a girl. Maybe the bright red, pink, and fuchsia hearts on her chest give her away.

Huckabee has packed this rustic log cabin pancake house for two separate seatings (another hungry crowd is waiting outside). With his wife, Janet, by his side, he calls Dahlia a "sweetheart." That makes three affectionate nicknames from the Republicans (doll, sweetie, sweetheart) and none from the Democrats.

Most of the crowd is busy munching on the campaign's complimentary sausage, bacon, and blueberry pancakes. Of course, Huckabee is well known as a diet book author and fitness nut. The last time I saw Huckabee on the trail, he was snacking on bananas after a 5K "Fun Run" at the University of New Hampshire. He seems to have too much discipline to load up on carbs today.