Mike Huckabee’s recent praise for Qatar wasn’t exactly subtle — but then again, neither was his paycheck.

“Just back from a few days in surprisingly beautiful, modern, and hospitable Doha, Qatar,” is how the Republican former Arkansas governor and former presidential candidate began a mid-January tweet, inviting followers to watch his upcoming television appearances. If Huckabee’s language — surprisingly beautiful, modern, and hospitable — sounds like the contrived parlance of tourism brochures, that may be because his inspiration wasn’t exactly organic.