The Huckabee campaign is touting a high-profile defection from Fred Thompson's camp. "John Stemberger, a leading voice in the conservative movement of Florida has switched his personal endorsement in the race for the Republican presidential nomination ..., " a news release boasts. Stemberger will co-chair Huckabee's "Faith and Family Values Coalition for Florida."

"Gov. Huckabee is without question the best candidate to breathe new life and fresh hope into a nation and its people who are fed up with scandal, corruption and big-money power politics. Mike Huckabee is a proven leader with executive experience and a solid record as a champion for pro-life and pro-family values, Stemberger said. "As a result, he has won the trust of more social conservative leaders across America than any other candidate. He has also proven that he is a viable candidate who can take us all the way home by winning both the primary and the general elections."

In September, back when Thompson was still considered a heavyweight for
the GOP nominee, Stemberger told the Times: "If Fred Thompson were not
in the race, Huckabee would look great. Thompson takes a lot of air out
of his campaign."