Ames, Iowa — Mike Huckabee thinks that someone who doesn’t finish in the top two stands a chance at winning the caucuses, but not somebody who did not participate in today’s straw poll — which would rule out Mitt Romney and Rick Perry.

He doesn’t see the importance of the Ames Straw Poll ending if Ron Paul wins today.

“I think that it shows the capacity [of Paul campaign] to organize,” Huckabee tells National Review Online, referring to a Paul victory, “but I don’t think his message is credible. And his statement on Iran the other night was totally off-the-wall.”

Asked if he thinks someone who doesn’t participate in the straw poll at all can win the caucuses, Huckabee gives a blunt answer.

“No. I don’t,” he says.