Potential GOP presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee said Sunday he has not decided whether to run for president but “there is a very strong likelihood” he’ll make a spring announcement.
Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and ex-Fox News talk show host, suggested on ABC’s “This Week” that he is giving a run very serious consideration, citing “the fact that I left the Fox gig, which was a wonderful opportunity for me.”
Huckabee, who ran for president in 2008 and won several primaries and caucuses before conceding to eventual nominee John McCain, said the biggest mistake of his last presidential campaign was not raising enough money.
“That was the big hurdle for us in 2008,” Huckabee said. “A lot of people didn’t take the campaign seriously until we were winning states and winning primaries. You have to have a lot of money, not only to run your own campaign but to defend your record.”
Huckabee called the race “wide open” when asked about a possible third presidential run by former GOP nominee Mitt Romney.
“Anyone can be a contender,” Huckabee said. “Nobody knows. The voters will make that decision, and that’s the way it ought to be.”
Huckabee defended his criticism of Obama’s parenting in his new book, Guns, God, Grits and Gravy.
In the book, Huckabee chided the Obamas for allowing their children to listen to song lyrics by Beyonce and Jay Z, even though Obama said he was embarrassed to listen to them.
“They are great parents,” Huckabee said. “If it embarrasses you, then why would you possibly think it’s wholesome for your children to put into their heads?”
Huckabee said the Obamas have been careful about feeding their children a good diet with “lots of vegetables,” but “what you put in your brain is also important, as well as what you put in your body.”
