what the huck?

Mike Huckabee Probably Not Running for President

Out of all the Republicans considering a presidential run, arguably none of them could make a bigger splash in the race than Mike Huckabee, and that is not a fat joke. The former Arkansas governor and 2008 presidential candidate is very well known, very well liked, and routinely leads the primary polls. He won the Iowa caucus in 2008 and he could do so again. But, obviously, only if he actually runs. We’ll supposedly find out this weekend if he’s going to.

Mike Huckabee’s “very important announcement” on his Fox News show Saturday night will make clear whether or not he plans on taking another shot at the White House in 2012, his executive producer said

So is he in or out? Ed Rollins, Huckabee’s 2008 campaign chairman, says he doesn’t know … but out:

I have no idea,” Mr. Rollins said. But he added that the fact that Mr. Huckabee’s top people don’tv know what announcement he will make is “pretty indicative that he’s not going to run.”

Over the last several months, Mr. Rollins has been helping Mr. Huckabee to put in place the pieces of a campaign to be ready if he decided to run, Mr. Rollins said.

There was a tremendous opportunity for him to be a viable, credible candidate,” Mr. Rollins said. “I think Mike has got unique talents but he just didn’t have the fire in the belly. I can’t want it more than the candidate does.”

Mr. Rollins said that “there is a campaign that can be put together in a week. All of the pieces are there.” But he said that in the last two weeks Mr. Huckabee’s family expressed doubts about a run.

Huckabee’s exit from the field would leave a huge space to be filled by the other candidates, and that is also not a fat joke.

Huckabee to Announce Decision on Presidential Run Saturday [Caucus/NYT]
Mike Huckabee promises ‘very important announcement’ [Politico]

Mike Huckabee Probably Not Running for President