November 25, 2007
Posted: 06:37 AM ET

Wrestling star Ric Flair has announced his support of Mike Huckabee.

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) – Wrestling star Ric Flair riled up a crowd of tailgating Mike Huckabee supporters on Saturday evening with his trademark "Wooooo!" war cry and said he was proud to announce his support for the former Arkansas governor's presidential bid.

"[Huckabee] is a quality person, self-made, a great family man and he has a great vision for our country," Flair said. "And I'm here to excite the crowd."

Flair was in Columbia with Huckabee at a "campaign tailgate" outside the college football showdown between South Carolina and Clemson, a yearly ritual in the Palmetto State that manages to dwarf politics, even just months before the state votes in a presidential primary.

Huckabee joked about college football with Flair and welcomed the wrestler's support.

"It means something to me that he has had a chance to look at every candidate and he has chosen to support me, and I appreciate it very much," he said. "And he'll get you in a choke hold if you don't agree with it."

Asked by a reporter if endorsements from celebrities like Flair and actor Chuck Norris trivialized his campaign, Huckabee said he has maintained "a serious focus on the issues" but predicted: "We're going to have some fun throughout the campaign and I think that's what's going to help us to win when it's all over."

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– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

Filed under: Mike Huckabee • Race to '08 • South Carolina


Ron   January 20th, 2008 7:49 am ET

This is the only one of the canidates that stands for moral issues and that is something that this country needs. While the Clintons were in office they removed most of these ideas from our minds. I like Chuck Norris and Ric Flair also and put a lot of intrest in their decission to support Mike. Mike seems to have more family values than the rest of the canidates and that is something we here in America seem to be forgetting. We need to close our borders and bring jobs back to American and I belive this is what Mike has in mind. We know no one person can do it without congress but I think he may be able to help in that issue.

Some need to look into the past of the Clintons as well as the back groung of Obama to see what kind of people they are and see they have not much for answeres. Someone with a fresh view may be what we need and I think Mike may be able to do that.

Mike you have my vote.

Jay Alhadeff   January 8th, 2008 8:32 am ET

Wooh!!! Great endorsement for Huckabee. Now we have Obama with Oprah and Huckabee with Flair. Who's next?

Bob Smith, Dallas, Texas   December 17th, 2007 11:37 am ET

Huckabee is big!!! and flair more!!!

Geoff, Springfield, VA   December 13th, 2007 1:35 pm ET

Bottom line, will it get Huckabee votes? The answer is yes. So does it matter who it is that's endorsing him? I think not.

Nick, Philadelphia PA   November 26th, 2007 12:58 pm ET

who ARE you nitwits who are swayed by endorsements from cheesy wrestlers and actors?

Robert, Glendale, Arizona   November 26th, 2007 12:31 pm ET

You can't blame Huck. When you're polling in the single digits nationally, you'll take any D List celebrity you can get.

I mean, have you guys ever actually watched Walker Texas Ranger? Storylines so thin it makes rasslin' look like Shakespeare.

And those hair implants. Oh my gawd.

Oh and Mark from Wilkes Barre: LOL at your spelling. Looks like ol Fat Huck found his target market with the Flair and Norris publicity.

Jaik , chicago, IL   November 25th, 2007 4:27 pm ET

I thought the press manufactured "woo" ended Dean's presidential run. Why would Huckabee court a "woo" ? Famously overagressive and violent aging men are his demographic perhaps. That's not who i want in control of the world's largest nuclear arsenal.

Carson Minneapolis MN   November 25th, 2007 4:24 pm ET

Well, Ol' Huck sure has the idiot/sucker/simpleton vote wrapped up with a little bow. This group of exemplary citizens could wind up becoming a force to reckon with in this election. Chuch Norris and Ric Flair….I think we just found our next president. Now if he just gets the NASCAR vote he'll be a shoe-in.

B. Fawn, Chico, CA   November 25th, 2007 1:37 pm ET

Latest News Flash: Tiny Tim Supports Mike Huckabee! Tiptoe Through the Tulips with Mike.

P. Blevins Springfield IL   November 25th, 2007 12:38 pm ET

wow, when a guy like Ric Flair touts someone's credentials as a "family man," then we should be a little concerned.

princella, beltsville, md   November 25th, 2007 9:11 am ET

governor huckabee is the best candidate on both sides, and everyone knows it. the conservatives who are hesitating to support him are just believing the inaccurate media hype that rudy is the only one to beat hillary. they are wrong. if there's anyone who could potentially lose to hillary, it's rudy giuliani. huckabee for president

Tim, Minneapolis,MN   November 25th, 2007 8:09 am ET

Huck's campaign is turning into a circus side show. Can't wait for the bearded-lady to show up..

mark wilkes barre pa   November 25th, 2007 6:01 am ET

A candidate with a human side and not afraid to have a little fun on the campaign trail ? whats wrong with that libs ? endorsements from actors and pro wrestling Icons should not be welcome ? Chuck Norris has done pretty well for him self as has Rick flair. these to guys are far from being stupid with low IQ"S from Texas. I'm sure there bank accounts compared to most would show that there not stupid dropouts !!! When are you libs gonna learn It's ok to have a little fun now and again. It wont lower your IQ'S , It wont cause you to go out and buy a pick-up truck, It won't make you want to move to texas.

Austin, Tx   November 25th, 2007 2:19 am ET

Mike Huckabee is a good man. I have been to the Governers Mansion multiple times while in college with his son. I have seen him pretty up close and personal, how he handled his governership, personal life, and family at the same time and with such great poise was something to watch and be around.

I really hope that he wins the primary and presidential election in november. This country will be in a lot better place with Mike Huckabee as president. He is 10000x better of a leader than Bush ever was in Texas.

chris Chicago, IL   November 25th, 2007 12:23 am ET

WOOOHOOO! That's one vote for Huckabee! Now all you need is Vermont and you've got this beast tied down!!!

http://www.golden-lamp.com

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   November 25th, 2007 12:15 am ET

This Arkansan Bible-thumper's embrace of wrasslers and other flamboyant fake fighters is plain evidence of his failure to evolve from the lowest of the lower classes. Go home, Huck.

Anonymous   November 24th, 2007 11:41 pm ET

Endorsements from two bad actors with single digit IQs. This is definitely going to help his campaign with the important high school dropout demographic

Jenn S, Lexingont. SC   November 24th, 2007 10:51 pm ET

It was an awesome event. Lots of supporters and media.

aaron, Gladstone, Mo   November 24th, 2007 10:20 pm ET

Considering how many times Flair went from face to heel and back again in his career, Huckabee better watch his back.

Andrew, NJ   November 24th, 2007 10:01 pm ET

there is a difference between having fun and being a joke. All these little jokes Huckabee keeps making are starting \to get annoying

Gary Knoxville, TN   November 24th, 2007 9:58 pm ET

I'm a believer. Huckabee is a great communicator and has an uplifting message for all Americans.

L, NY   November 24th, 2007 9:10 pm ET

You have my vote Mike Huckabee.

Jim in Orlando, FL   November 24th, 2007 9:10 pm ET

Rick Flair for National Security advisor !! Woooooooo !

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