CNN

People, people calm down What he said was "I can tell you this," he said, "any Southerner knows if you don’t eat the skin don’t bother calling it fried chicken." What you heard is "I'm saying this so you will not vote for Romney, a President should eat fried chicken with skin." Don't spin it out of control take it for what he said. He's saying why order fried chicken and not eat the skin, it's like saying give me a cheeseburger and hold the cheese. It is a small mear comment meant to do nothing but prove that Huck is more southern, ya know like Romney is more liberal that's all.

I can't believe Mike Huckabee can even call himself a Christian, after the horrible comments he made tonight (Feb. 5, 2008) Talk about a hypocrite! Shame on you and your dirty politics.

Every conservative evangelical . . . should read Arkansas writer David Sanders' Wall Street Journal piece on Governor Huckabee. He writes - with ample proof - that "no one has articulated the message of the religious left more effectively than Mr. Huckabee." And Sanders knows what he's talking about - he used to work for Governor Huckabee.

But one wonders whether his newfound supporters would really say that if they took a close look at his policies. With increasing frequency, Mr. Huckabee invokes his faith when advocating greater government involvement in just about every aspect of American life. In doing so, Mr. Huckabee has actually answered the prayers of the religious left.

There's much more to being a conservative than social issues. Take it from one of his former aides: Governor Huckabee ain't got it. And combining him with the liberal Democrats and spend-happy Republicans who run Congress will not produce good results - no matter how much we may like where he goes to church. evangelicalsformitt

hahaha! i love it! huckabee is so downhome & i love every single morsel of it... he just really seems the most approachable out of all of the candidates (including democrats) & i believe that that's important when thinking about who you want as president: someone that is untouchable on their high horse or someone that you could imagine sitting on the porch and drinking lemonade together...

Fried, baked, grilled, broiled, barbequed… it's all good. Here’s a twist on traditional skillet fried chicken of the ‘hot and spicy’ variety…

1. Rinse pieces (with the skin left on for goodness sake!) in cold water and drain.
2. Marinate as long as you like in buttermilk.
3. Lift from buttermilk dripping wet and dredge through crushed ‘hot and spicy’ kettle-cooked potato chips.
4. Pan or skillet fry as usual.
5. Enjoy!

Vote Ron Paul in 2008!

So does Huckabee leave the skin on his fried squirrel?

The chicken bit is funny. As a native Okie, WE ARE NOT AT ALL MIDWESTERN!!! Huckabee will take the Oklahoma primary, and to the Yankee Texan, see you at the Cotton Bowl, Bubba.

Latest news from the GOP CIRCUS!

Ron Paul is such a clown. He cares about such trivial issues as war, foreign policy, taxation, the economy. What kind of unelectable nut talks about such trivialities as the disasterous war of conquest in Iraq or the impending war in Iran? Not to mention taxes, as if Americans care how much money they pay to the federal government. What kind of fool critically examines American foreign policy or would dare? Only a lunatic would dare question the Keynesian policy that Americans followed dogmatically since FDR. Ron Paul may be right or wrong but at least he brings up these issues for discussion. And the media ignores him for it. The corporate media refuses to acknowledge that Ron Paul exists except when they have the opportunity to libel him.

But the media will hurry to report on the most trivial and stupid banalities if it involves anyone-but-Paul. Huckabee says that Mitt is not a real Southerner because he does not eat the skin! Apparently KFC is an urgent issue...

Good thing Huck is sticking with the important issues!

It's great to know that Huckleberry thinks the southern states are so ingnorant that their vote is based purely on how Mitt eats chicken. Huckabee's comment, whether a joke or not, shows how much of an imbecile he truly is. THANKS Iowa for wasting your votes on this bonehead. Perhaps Iowa should adopt fried chicken as its state bird.

I think someone needs to give the Huckster a sit-com. Isn't he auditioning for a stand-up role, rather than running for President? Why does he need to keep making jokes about everything? I don't want my President laughing and telling jokes, thank you. Get serious, you fried-squirrel-eating hick.

I kind of like it, David, when the media exposes Huckabee for the desperate, jealous candidate that he is. I think his mean-spirited 'joking around' hurt him. Romney so far has played by the rules and sticks to the issues as he should... If Romney behaved like Huckabee – I would not vote for him.

Huckabee lost my vote a long time ago.

Vote for Romney !!

Ron Paul / Huckabee ticket could be possible?

Ron Paul / Edwards ticket could be possible?

Matter of fact Ron Paul goes well with most people willing to defend the original Constitution!

Add some watermelon and this could be an Obama hoedown!

I don't think for a minute that what you eat will win or lose an election. However Huckabee is the most Southern of the choices and that will win him over in the deep south. He might not take Florida, but Florida is full of snow-birds that will go with Mitt. In the other Southern states, Huckabee all the way.

Hmm...Huckabee seems really desperate for dirt against Romney... Doesn't he have anything of substance other than eating habits and the infamous "flipflopping"?

Chicken! Is iit really chicken? There is a need for change but one begins to wonder, what that change will be.

This is taken out of context. Come on CNN.....

People talk about Huckabee and Arkansas like it's backward or stupid thats not so, the thing with Romney I dislike is his Negative Ads, he's to critical of McCain and Huckabee, he needs to be pulling the GOP together putting out Positive Actions instead of Negative stuff thats a turn off for me, he needs to go after Obama and "the Clintons", Huckabee needs to Think about what he's saying so he doesn't look like a Country Bumpken, and the reporters don't turn it into something out of context, they treat John Edwards basically the same way as Huckabee

Hey Peter, have you ever been to Oklahoma? Or do you rely on Wikipedia and your own preconceived notions about Oklahoma to write your stories? I can't stand Mike Huckabee, but at least he actually knows my state.

Surely you, the press, have better things you can cover about Huckabee's campaign than a remark that was obviously intended to be humorous, but deliberately taken out of context. It is a real shame when one of the top contenders is whole-sale ignored by the press except when he makes quips like these. What a thinly disguised campaign the press is leading against him.

HE'S KIDDING, ok? It's hard to tell from the way the story is written, but it sounds like Huckabee is just kidding along with what the reporter brought up.

So, in summary: HE'S KIDDING.

I thought the state meal of OK included chicken fried steak? Close enough in my book.

Hickabee likes to cook things up in deep oil.
Is he making a fool of himself, knowing that he won't make it?

CNN you make me laugh when you report on this stuff. But I am serious I find it entertaining to hear people fightin over fried chicken

"At least Huckabe doesn't take himself so seriously"

Well, I guess the rest of us shouldn't either. I can't believe how many people want to judge their next president on how folksy they are. I don't want the guy to be my friend, I want him to run the country, lower my taxes, and build our military. He can be as stiff as he likes as long as he has the resume and the experience of getting the job done.

In fact, I've found overly friendly and gregarious people tend to be pretty shallow. Great for friends, but no so much when it comes to being a leader. Romney's track record is impressive, even if he doesn't really cozy up well.

So ridiculous! Chicken? Really? OK is a Southern state – my dad is from there and they pride themselves on being southern. And they make GREAT fried chicken in OK too!

it seems like Huckabee was just being funny, not negative...just my two cents.

Just vote for Romney... : )

i sure hope huckabee doesn't think he's going to win the country by complaining how people eat their food, especially if he's complaining against healthy eaters (there are a lot of people who are desperately trying to diet here!!). florida out to do you in huckabee!! tell fred i said hi!!

ROMNEY '08

If Huckabee knows what's good for him he'll start peeling off the skin himself. The man seems to forget that he once weighed more than 300 pounds

Forget about Huck, what the hell is CNN doing reporting on this garbage? This vapid nonsense is the reason our press is a joke.

This has to be the stupidest comment Huckabee has ever made, and he's made some doosies.

Who's stupid?

The hateful (“your true colors are showing”) comments here are emblematic of the people that did not understand true southern heritage and true southern traditions. Mike Huckabee is correct to point out the difference. Some like bagels, we like beagles!

Huckabee says in his own book that removing the chicken from his favorite fried chicken was one of the hardest things he had to do to lose weight.

He's a fraud and a hypocrite and a liar, apparently.

Anyone considering voting for him is either a sucker or one of those three things as well.

Fried chicken? Rediculous. The only candidate that will actually end the conflict in Iraq and return to Republican principles is almost never mentioned by CNN. Hopefully the internet and the ability to retrieve pertinant information on topics people need to know will prevail over biased mainstream news organizations such as CNN and FOX. If people do their homework, they will realize that Ron Paul stands for what the majority of Democrat and Republican citizens want in the white house, he just doesn't stand for what the lobbyists for big business want, thus the reason he is being ostrasized by the media.

Who in the good grace of America cares?

Is Huckabee serious?

Huckabee's chicken comment is not only relevant but it's also right-on for these turbulent times. He is obviously using the word "chicken" as a metaphor for higher tariffs. So what he is saying is, "Increasing tariffs is necessary to lever the imbalance of exports to imports. We can continue doing rigorous trade with China and the rest of the far east as long as the tariff makes it profitable for the American people."

Taking the "Skin off the Chicken" is insider D.C. talk for a low tariff that only benefits the exporter and special interests here at home. Well done' Huckabee you are a political dynamo.

Yeehaw!!

It was Oklahoma that birthed one of the finest political similes I ever heard.

Uttered by the father of then-Congresscritter J.C. Watts, the only Black Republican in Congress, JC Senior opined that "a Black man voting for George Bush was like a chicken voting for the Colonel..."

I bet All the dems eat the skin on their fried Chicken. go, chicken skin eaters!

Man, the Huckster has got real depth hasn't he. Count me in.

Please...can somebody get this joker off the stage? get him a job in stand up in Vegas or something.

Wow... that's some hard hitting news right there

What does how the man eats chicken have to do with being president? Huck must really be running out of real issues to make a point out of. Ohmygoodness, that Romney was seen peeling the skin off of fried chicken! Blasphemy!

Give me a break.

I should have said: It´s time for America to realise that things have to change urgently. It can´t be that life of innocent childs weigh less than the choices of million of adults regarding so called "planned parenthood".

Eating fried chicken without skin is a serious matter in southern states of the US as well as here in Germany. It shows deliberatly your lack of respect for different cultures as well as a lack of good taste...
Besides Huckabee seems to be the only one who does not take himself more serious than the issues he brings up. It´s time for America to realise that things have to change urgently. It can´t be that life of innocent childs weigh more than the choices of million of adults regarding so called "planned parenthood". America should be be glad to have someone who is serious where it matters but still has the ability to laugh. There are other candidates of the democrates that have only one goal: To sit in the White House, no matter how they treat their "rivals". This is childish and totally immature and not the fact that someone jokes about chicken skin scalps.

For me, it comes down to Paul and Romney. My background is in economics. These are the only candidates that know a darn thing about economics, including Hillary and Barak. Since Paul does not have a snowball's chance (and I voted libertarian in the last two elections), I'm going all out for Mitt Romney.

He did a tremendous job saving the 2002 Winter Olympics from a $380 million catastrophe. He also saved a number of companies about to go bankrupt. When you think about it, he is exactly what this country needs. Apologies to Ron Paul, who I have the deepest respect. But Romney is electable. In fact, he almost beat Ted Kennedy in his home state.

Romney is a man of Action and Integrity! He is committed to constitutional government and preservation of our individual liberties. He is our best hope for a better economy. Romney will bring new vision, fresh faces, and focused energy to solve our nations problems. He is a true Republican committed to Positive Change and Sound Reason. I Trust Romney!

Governor Huckabee was making a joke. I, for one, appreciate levity and a dry wit. Notice that he didn't say anything until a reporter told him about it! What was he supposed to say? Launch into a diatribe about the evils of eating food cooked in oil? He would have been slammed for that as well. So he made a joke. I thought it was funny.

huh. Is this a joke. How stupid.

Thank god! A reasonable discussion on the issues.

Original or Extra Crispy?!? If this decides the Southern states, maybe we should just go back and let them secede.

Hey idiots. It was a joke. It was a very stupid observation to bring up to someone running for President, so he joked about. One more thing. He's not a hypocrite. That would mean that Huckabee himself orders fried chicken and peels the skin off. He said he doesn't order fried chicken, rather he prefers broiled. Ordering fried chicken, and then taking off the fried skin is a little bit stupid. Don't order fried chicken if you don't want it fried.You people jumping on someone for a joke is beyond me. You say they shouldn't be running for president....IMO you shouldn't be allowed to vote. You can't tell serious issues from satire...

"It's a Southern thing. You wouldn't understand."

That's funny, and here I was thinking that an election involving who potentially could be the primary leader of our country was an American thing. Silly me.

a question to CNN: do we care? it just expemlifies the stupidity of the top three republicans and the weakness of the republican candidates.

We the People – Vote for Romney!!

This is news? This matters? Get a grip CNN, this is not an issue. This is not news. And we on the Democratic side of the primary thought the Clintons were bringing up petty non-issues. Sheesh!

Psst, hey all you Republicans, have you checked out Barack? Don't take my word for it, go to his web site and see what a real uniter is saying. There are a lot of you already saying they will vote for him over any of the Republicans if he gets the nomination.

banhead,

I'm Southern. I understand. Who cares what a guy from Wal-Martville, US thinks about how the future president of the US eats his chicken? He actually better be praying that Mitt wins so that he can save all the jobs in the state of Wal-Mart, aka Arkansas.

Another idiotic comment from the Village idiot- Backwoods Huckabee. This is the best the Republicans can offer for a Presidential contender ??
Whats next from this country bumpkin ? A double wide for his vacation home ?
A swim in the trailer park swimming pool ?
He is pathetic and so are the people that are donating money for his hillbilly shenanigans. He will never win a primary in a big state – drop out now Huck and go back to the mudhole you came from.

Romney is such a fake. I will NEVER vote for him.

If at the next Southern campaign event Romney fails to mop up his gravy with a slice of Wonder Bread, he's all but through.

What Aaron Schiff said. The CNN political producer clearly has never been to Oklahoma or bothered to read a simple Wikipedia entry about its history.

"And speaking of possible gaffes, a good Southerner might also dispute one of Huckabee's claims: since when is Oklahoma "a great southern state"?"

Oh please. It's not much of a gaffe compared to Huckabee believing the earth is 6000 years old. And I'm not eating the nasty chicken skin at KFC either.

Mitt said he was there for the biscuits anyway.

It's a Southern thing. You wouldn't understand.

How exactly does this really matter in the campaign? Is this the result of bored journalists?

Just what we need – people deciding a presidential election based on whether or not a candidate eats the skin on a piece of fried chicken. I wish I could believe that Huckabee was joking – but it sounds about right for the depth of the Republican candidates grasp of the issues.

Well this entry is completely logical, you see, eating fried chicken w/skin = winning the south. I wish I had gotten the memo sooner.

For what it's worth, I'm a born and bred Tennessean and I eat boneless/skinless fried chicken. It tastes better and is better for you.

Even though Oklahoma was not a state during the civil war, many of us consider ourselves southern; geographically, politically and of course in our diets as well.

And from the looks of all the "svelte" fried chicken eaters in Arkansas, who can argue with "Logic of Huckabee?!"

HEY! Liz Cheney just endorsed the Mittster! I'm impressed- – -NOT!
Who gives a rat's patootee!

How much gas is your tax cuts buyin'ya? Are ya brushin' up on your Chinese?
McCain says we're gonna be in Iraq for the rest of the century!
Any Person who votes republican ought to have their head examined.
How's your 401K? Got that sinkin' feelin?

And i'll bet Huckster does not eat the skin on his baked or broiled chicken either. I'm sure this was all done in jest.

This is crazy. Why does everything they say joking to reporters end up on here. I am not real sure where Oklahoma comes into it anyway. But most Texans consider Oklahoma as a yankee state. LOL! I couldn't care less how Money Romney eats his chicken, surprised he lowers himself to eat at a KFC though. He is just another GW with his money and friends. Huckabee is truly a man for the common person from everything he has said and from researching him. I hope you all look into the candidates instead of basing your vote on these blogs. I for one would not waste a vote on any other candidate. And if he doesn't make it I will write him in. He is the real change. Some may say it is change they don't want but look at where we are now, how could it possibly get much worse?

How incredibly stupid.

People, people. Lighten up.

I lived in N.C. for 20 years and now Georgia for 38. I don't eat the skin either. Jim Nabors should sue Huckabee for falsely impersonating Gomer Pyle.

This is a joke, right? It's got to be from the Onion.

Sound like a comment in jester you would make to a friend or coleague. Everyone want to make a mountain out of a mole hill about every little comment. Get a grip, he's the only one that is letting you see who he really is.

I'm from South Carolina and I don't eat fried chicken skin........Can't these people find some real issues such as Health Care and affordable housing!

This exactly the perfect topic for these two empty suits to argue over. Hucklebee should be running fired chicken inspector. Romney should get out of his way. The position would suit them to the level of their own expertise. Think about it.

Wow Adam you must consider it "news worthy" yourself to choose the story and then take the time to read it. Since you’ve take it upon yourself to call people pathetic for having an opinion on the situation, then I think you qualify for that title as well. The fact is Huckabee is running for the President of the United States so everything he says is under potential scrutiny. The reason why CNN always reports Huckabee's stupid comments is because he does such a fantastic job of continuously spewing them.

Well if Southern people are that small minded (which I don't think they are Mr. Huckleberry) let them vote for you, it won't help, you will not win the nomination. Hopefully Mtt Romney will, he is the smartest man for the job. Just because he wants to be healthy Huckleberry blasts him for that, what a numb skull. Romney for President.....

Schmuckabee is more a used Car Salesman, than anything else. We here in Arkansas have learned this through enduring his attempt to destroy the GOP. Let him run for president of Mexico (With McCain)...they are his target constituancy, not Americans.

Don't eat the fat Mitt.. Let Huck gain that 110 lbs back if he likes. Next time he won't be able to lose it. Plus he'll have to be saddled with meds for the rest of his life to control his cholesterol. McAmnesty, well he looks like skin period wonder how much he has devoured?

Perhaps he'll win regardless of your spin

I was born and raised in Oklahoma, and I've never considered it Southern. Does anyone in OK really want to be lumped in with Texans? Perish the thought. Although, I wouldn't call it Midwestern either. It's sort of its own animal.

Give me a break!!! the media is coving an issue as stupid as this? So what Romney doesn't eat chicken skin! that is his business! not Hickupbee to tell him has to! Good heavens sounds like the story where people go to war becasue they don't like the way someone likes to eat eggs!!

This Hickupbee is sure hard up for votes if that is the best way he can do in the elections, he is scrapping the bottom of the barrel isn't he!

He will be done after this vote tomorrow anyway. People of FL, do what is right, vote for Romney.

Romney 08!

everyone who is getting angry at Hucakbee over this has clearly bought into the MSM's viewpoint on this election. Why is no one asking why CNN would even RUN this off hand comment as a "news worthy story". It's unbelievably stupid, the whole thing, regardless of who you support. Huckabee didn't order a freaking press conference to talk about this, he was asked the question by a reporter and he made a joke. Anyone who thinks this is news is pathetic. Absolutely downright perfectly pathetic. Huckabee has had his 'image' created by clever editors at all the major TV news channels. Grow up and read some real news people.

The disadvantage of reading these articles and people's responses is you can't be sure what kind of tone is being used. Everyone - the media, the campaigners, even the american people - enjoy taking quotes out of context just to stir up some controversy. A candidate will take an opponent's quote out of context but he or she doesn't think it is FAIR if their quote is taken out of context.
So with all this petty back and forth between the candidates it is very refreshing to hear a candidate with a sense of humor. Thank you Governor Huckabee..

I thought it odd that Romney was trying to act like a "regular Joe" and eat at KFC; he doesn't have the first clue how to operate in the environment of most Americans. He has been talking about how to buy stocks in this cheap market , as he lays off people and sends jobs overseas- he needs to get real and realize that people twho eat at KFC are typically not loading up on cheap stocks. They are trying to make ends meet. This just represents his consistent positions and his continual efforts to try and be everything to everyone. He is a Bigtime FAKE!

This is why politics in this country are a joke. The democrats do stuff like this too... where do we place our votes? I'm going to keep my vote stored away until someone actually deserves it.

I live in Oklahoma and have never considered myself as living in the South. Most people around here would say that we live in the Mid-West.

Congratulations, Mae. At least one other person in this blog understands the concept of humor. It is the media, however, that feels the need to report on this because they know the humorless pc group will go balistic – which they apparently have.

It was either bravery or foolishness that he ate at KFC, every time I have eaten there I pray for death.

I believe is was Abraham Lincoln who once said,"It is better to sit and appear a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."

Hahahahaha... Worse yet, maybe Mitt's a vegan!

This is political news? The news media is making a mockery of this presidential race.

After the fiasco of nearly eight years of a republican president, the hot topic of the campaign is chicken parts? Give me a break!!!!

I was born in VA and I don't know about the rest from the South, but I'm offended that he believes I'll base my vote on chicken skin. Is that what he thinks of our ability to make educated decisions?

They forgot the most important thing, first, you have to shoot the thing. Then fry it.

Huckabee loves fried chicken and is fat and dumpy looking. Romney doesn't eat the skin and looks healthier than them all. Go figure.

Huckabee and McAmnesty are neck and neck for the dumbest candidate of either party.

Huckabee is done after Florida.

Not everyone in the South thinks like that. Some of us are concerned about health and want to enjoy the flavor of fried chicken without so much of the fat. Stuff like that makes me wonder what other irrelevant stabs Huckabee is going to take at opponents.

Lighten up people. Huckabee was making a tongue-in-cheek joke for crying out loud.

It's not particularly funny, but it was also harmless. At least give him credit for not taking himself so seriously.

Good lord! I'm no fan of Romney, but who the hell cares how he eats his chicken? That's just beyond silly.

When is the media going to ask serious questions about our serious problems in the U.S. i.e. social security will run out of money, our corporations are handicapped by high government taxes and restrictions and our open borders with all its inherent problems of poverty and crime..We are exporting jobs and importing poverty

BDunc,

Was it ok for Kerry to "Flip-flop", I don't think so....

Oklahoma is the birthplace of:
Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood, Ronnie Dunn, Toby Keith, Merle Haggard, and Blake Shelton (among others). Some of country music's biggest acts have come from OK, so I consider them Southern. (We dropped the "and Western" from C & W a long time ago.)

i eat the skin, and I am voting for Mitt. I can have my cake and eat it too!

go MITT go

@ Mary, FL – Amazingly enough he's second in the delegate count. Out after FL seems like a huge stretch.

how retarded can Huckabee get? "Romney doesn't eat the skin on the fried chicken! I don't either, but can you believe it? How offensive!"

The only thing Huckabee can make compare with Romney is how to eat fried chicken. Anything else, Huckabee is lost for intelligible words. Huckabee might be a nice guy, but he ain't the brightest shinning star.

LOL! Two things I love about this messed up country.... 1. The GOP is dumb enought to hang itself on stupid issues like fried chicken. 2. CNN is pathetic enough to report this is news and think the American people really give a flying chicken wing what either moron is eating for lunch. Please somebody throw these guys a life ring before they drown on their own stupidity and childish antics! What's next, McCain gets an earful from Ron Paul for not finishing his veggies???

Mitt Romney looks awkward in a fast food joint. 'How staged is this?' should have been the caption.

At least Huckabee called him out on staging it. Though how many more pictures do I have to see of Huckabee running (reminds me of Clinton in 92) or playing guitar (reminds me of Clinton in 92 with his sax)?

Mary,

The only way to waste a vote is by not voting. Everyone, please take control of our government by exercising on of our greatest liberties.

No doubt after Ron Paul I would have to vote for Huckabee. Finding only a good reason or two is the best you can do after your first choice and Huckabee has the best tax answer after Paul which is basically the same in that comsumption, tariffs, or sales taxes are the only legal taxes ever imposed and all others are illegal according to the original Constitution!

People take things too literally these days...Huckabee was making a joke....I mean...everyone is wanting to take up for Romney...but wasn't that the guy on the streets singing "who let the dogs out"?...And they say Huckabee is the childish one..

The comments show how very stupid you people are...Huckabee makes many substantial speeches and remarks every day, but all the media will report on is some joking comment that was probably made in the last 30 seconds of an interview. You geniuses lap this up, willingly believing this is all he talks about. Your freedom is already gone, thanks to the press. The only real people in the race are Huckabee and Paul, and the media ridicules both. You will follow the media cheerleaders to your doom, and you will get exactly what you deserve.

Boy, Huckbee is really grasping at straws. One can easily understand how well he understands healthy eating by looking at his family. How could he let them get that obese? It is shameful.....a health crisis of his own making. Unforgivable...does he really think they are happy being that fat?

Amen, Scarpiron. As a Dem it's a shame to see all of the brainless Repub. missing the joke. It is entertaining though.

Haha, I agree with Ryan, GA. Wal-Mart region is really what Arkansas is.

But seriously, who can honestly fault a man for taking off the skin of CRAP KFC fried chicken? If Romney was actually in a Southern Home and did that, then maybe you could fault him. But I've had tons of home-cooked southern fried chicken, it's great! Nothing compared to the cheap knock-off at a NATIONAL chain. HAHA... oh Huckleberry, keep trying!

The Huckster will be out after Florida so why waste a vote.

Huckabee believes he can win the southern states just like he believed he could win South Carolina, keep dreaming Huck. I’m sure it was a joke, but every time this man opens his mouth only idiotic comments come out.

Huckabee supporters laugh this off as just another one of his jokes, but the thing is that this is all that Huckabee has- his jokes. He got away with the charm in Iowa, but after a while you would expect a little substance. Sure he has is disastrous Fair Tax, but after that he's just a hill billy of hot air. I'm glad to see that his foolish antics aren't gaining traction amongst real voters who are concerned over real issues.

On the other hand, I continue to be impressed with Mitt Romney as my man, Rudy, starts to fade in the night. I think everyone's main issue with Romney is that he's changed positions on some issues, but why shouldn't he? Don't we want our leaders to weigh all the options and make the right decisions regardless of how they viewed it in the past? I respect Romney for admitting that he was wrong on these issues instead of trying to back step and somehow twist facts. Romney will get the nomination as more people consider his track record and abilities.

Take it from someone that LIVES in OKLAHOMA, it is a southern state..........eat the skin Willard and don't forget to take the husk off the tamale when you go to San Antonio.

Huckabee continues his run for a pot as McCains VP.We will never vote for McCamnesty!

Not eating your fried chicken's skin makes you appear to be a "girly-man"
-Something a "liberal sissy YANKEE" would do

The concern most Southerners have is the fear of electing a President who is unable to fully relate to the south’s strong southern values. For many years people of southern heritage have been viewed only as corn-cob pipe smoking hicks worthy of receiving the brunt of preconceived opinions bordering on intolerance, due to the profiling of all southerners together. It’s a type of discrimination, if you will!

It was a joke, lighten up.

Someone makes a comment/joke and the brainless go ever crazier. That's shows the state of our failed education system.

Huckleberry has gone nuts. Since when does eating chicken with the skin equal to blasphemy?

Coments on chicken coming from a real turkey!

The real question: Is Arkansas a part of the South? Answer: NO. It's a midwestern state. It actually has it's own category, It's not south, north, east, west, central, it's the Wal-Mart region!

I don't know what he was thinking...Huckleberry has a point as the skin is the best part really. But although Romney clearly does have a problem in this regard, I'd still vote for him.

Why did the chicken cross the road? To generate gratuitous free publicity for a politician's cash-strapped candidacy for president.

That settles it! I am voting for whomever eats the most fried chicken skin! Can you say LIPITOR? Ridiculous!

I'm sorry...I had to read this twice to believe it. Gee, Huckabee has found the magic bullet to win the South. Just eat fried chicken with the skin on. Not that the voters of southern states really care about the economy or the debate over Iraq. Mike ...you are so smart......I mean deep .........(fried).

It was a JOKE people, a J-O-K-E.
Kind of like Ron Paul's chances of winning the Republican primary.

I live in the south, but I don’t eat chicken. Everybody say hey to anybody. Southerners are great. Eating chicken is neither a prerequisite nor important. I am sure, there are even vegetarians holding offices in the South. Huck was kidding!

Gotta love it when a presidential candidate makes a joke that everyone takes seriously. Come on people, wake up!

Huck's no flip flopper, clearly he's talkin' chicken not frog legs!

Reminds me of when John Kerry ordered a Philly Cheesesteak with swiss cheese during his '04 campaign- which is basically like asking to get punched in the face.

I eat with half of the skin off, and half with it on. That way, I won't offend anyone. Maybe I should run for office.

I am getting concerned over McCain's infatuation with war combined with his headstrong anger. SCARY! I keep hearing him repeat WAR WAR WAR!
To me this is much more serious than his lack of understanding of the economy and not being a fiscal conservative.

What's even funnier is most of you guys can't even recognize a joke when it's made. Vote Huckabee. Fair Tax.

Wow I keep thinking Mike will wise up and stop with the silly comments and jokes but nope! He already lost my vote a long time ago but now I may beg others who want to vote for him to reconsider! I know I want a healthy president!

Just another example of people who don't listen to all the candidates and make an informed decision. If you have spent more than 10 seconds listening to Governor Huckabee you will know this is another example of his wry sense of humor. Nothing more. He is not an idiot that would think that people would take a "fried chicken" stance on election day.. Please get your collective heads out, and listen to the candidates' platforms instead of what CNN feeds you...

A lot of people here are making it sound like Huckabee went to a campaign event and lectured on fried chicken for three hours. The man was asked a question by a reporter and he answered in jest. If you want to bash huck find something more valid. But it is true that pulling the skin off of fried chicken is a pathetic move. If Romney wants to appeal to common folk by going to a fast food place he shouldn't do something that allows him to be easily ridiculed. Thats on par with going to macdonalds, ordering a cheeseburger, and proceding to remove the patty.

Easter egg hunts now fried chicken, has Huckelberry got a chicken fetish?

I am hungry now for some fried chicken.

What is the significance of this? Show some respect for Ron Paul and put up articles about his campaign rather than a fried chicken incident. Good grief.

Is this really what our political discourse is coming down to? Does Huckabee, the man who lost 70 pounds by eating healthy, actually think he will win because Romney eats healthy?

anyone that has so little sense of humor that they do not realize Huckabee is just making light and having fun with policting as I am sure he does not expect anyone to change their vote because the candidate they like does not eat the skin on chicken. People get a life and laugh a bit so you can see when a joke is a joke

Reporter goofed on Oklahoma.
Huckabee told a joke that people got overly excited about. (Hoping Steve is right)
I am still voting for Romney tomorrow even with these minor goofs by others.
Let it go, people. We are all getting so synical.

is this supposed to be news? pretty absurd, if so. sorry, Huckster, keep trying. lame attempt by you Gomer.

Substance please Huckabee! Seems to me we would want our president to be alive. Because of your bad choices on everything including diet as well as a lack of discipline you needed stomach surgery in order to loose weight.

Mitt shoulda thought ahead and made sure there was an apple and a Granola Bar in his fannypack.

There are serious problems to fix in this country and the best issue that Mike Huckabee can address is that Mitt Romney doesn't eat chicken like a true southerner?

I don't know if this is a step up or step down from his major policy speech dealing with the flying of the confederate flag and where the flag pole belongs.

Where are this man's priorities? Is Mike Huckabee really one of the best that the GOP has to offer the American voter?

There goes Chucklebee again.

I've turned the page!

I refuse to decide on a candidate based on their gender, sex, religious or chicken orientation!

... and yet as another story about "chicken skin" is ran, please be reminded that CNN is trying to keep your mind off the real solution... The Constitution.

Ron Paul 2008.

CNN, as usual avoiding the issues to focus on something as banal as fried chicken.

I will correct myself before any of you tell me how stupid I am. My last comment should have read "sense of humor" instead of "since of humor" My apologies for my lack of editing before I submitted.

get your facts straight! Oklahoma has always been a great southern state – Fried chicken is part of the 4 food groups here! Along withcorn on the cob, mashed pot, and fried okra.

Just another example of what a closed-minded, religious extremists bring to the table. What judgemental tripe, must be coming from his jealous, inner glutton.

I laughed my head off when I read this. This is beyond the ridiculous, each of the candidates keep lowering the bar on how idiotic and petty their statements can get. Eating chicken with the skin on is a good indicator on how their will run the country?! This is like Gullivers Travels where Lilliput and Blefuscu are at war because of how they prefer to eat an egg. Do these candidates even have a clue on how obsurd they have all become? What about the issues? The Democrats aren't that much better.

John Edwards for president in 2008.

I'm convinced that Huckabee just doesn't realize how he sounds to normal people. That's true of politicians generally, of course.

But this kind of tone deafness seems to be endemic in the Republican Party these days. How else to explain their rush to embrace George Bush's endless and pointless war?

Being "a good Southerner" doesn't impress me al la Tom Delay, Vitter, Robertson, Falwell, and Huckabee who criticizes Romney for not eating unhealthy chicken skin while the good reverend himself doesn't even eat fried chicken.

Aren't there more important issues to debate than fried chicken? This goes to show how shallow Pastor Huckabee is.

they pretty much all claim to have the same conservative position on all the issues(despite their record *cough*Romney, McCain*cough*)...Huckabee's position on fried chicken just reinforces the fact that he is the true conservative in the race. ("jest")

Is this the level of discourse we want from our presidential candidates? We are in a recession. Our dollar is on the ropes. Our democracy is on the ropes and this guy is talking about fried chicken. F@cking fried chicken? I'm voting for the only candidate conducting himself like an adult.

Ron Paul 2008

Wow. Huck is getting desperate.

When did Oklahoma become a southern state? I agree with the fried chicken... we southerners love our fried chicken WITH the skin!!!!!!

"Wait, I thought Huckabee was trying to outlaw fatty foods in the US.

Flip flopper" - D Davis

That is priceless.

As a lifelong Oklahoman, I am proud to be from the Midwest. There is a certain air of difference between the South and Oklahoma. If anything, perhaps Oklahoma is neither Southern nor Midwestern. We will always represent what was once Indian Territory.

Has anyone noticed that Huckabee doesn't seem to be running for president anymore? He just seems to be running AGAINST Romney. I think if Romney were running for Head Dog Catcher Huckabee would be the creepy little dog running around in circles nipping at his heels with that annoying little "yap yap" sound.

I don't eat the chicken skin and I live in the south. I guess that means I should vote for Romney. He can't be any worse than that pea brain Huckabee.

If Huckabee wants to be really effective in his campaign against Romney why doesn't he just thumb his nose at him and yell, "Neiner, neiner, neiner"! It makes a little more sense.

You got to be kidding, is this just Mike's way of having fun while there is a real nomination process in progress? Come on Mike, wake up and leave the contest if this is all you have.

hahaha.....This one will definitely tarnish Romney's image. What a strike Huck!!!!!

Wow, apparently you guys over in the republican party don't appreciate light-hearted jokes these days. It wasn't the centerpiece of a debate, it was an off-the-cuff response to a reporter. In fact, I kinda have a sigh of relief when a candidate can pull that off and say something funny. It lets you know hes got some higher brain activity, which, after this past presidency, is an important trait.

If you're that offended just have Romney call up Alan Keyes to set the record straight...

People need to develop a better sense of humor.

Isn't it a little sad when fried chicken is more of an issue than some other things? Huckabee is making a fool of himself.

It's great to see the candidates refusing to let the such trivial issues as the economy and the war get in the way of what really matters...how to eat fried chicken.

I find it funny that he believes he will win all the southern states simply because Romney didn't eat the skin. I'll hold him to that so I can see how badly he failed to do so.

It is blasphemy for me to defend Romney, and I never will again, but if how you eat chicken should decide how you vote, maybe we should have some kind of an IQ test as a qualification for voting.

God, to come to think of it I actually said once that Huckabee seems like a nice guy, God am I sorry I ever said that, Huckabee is a lunatic.

You guys need to lighten up a little! With the tense, serious nature of politics it is nice to hear a guy who has a since of humor. I am not sure I have heard Romney say anything funny yet. However, if he were to say something funny, it would probably come from somebody whispering something in his ear like at the last debates. Is he the Great Wizard of Oz?

I guess that's why Huckabee had to have liposuction. All that greasy chicken.

Shouldn't he be talking about God?

He's looking for the healthiest available option for lunch in a fast food restaurant? After he finds that, maybe he can go get the WMD search started again. I'm begging the republic party to nominate one of these two clowns.

I will say, Huckabee has said some funny things in this campaign. He just got the wrong memo. "Last Comic Standing" is over...this is the Presidential Campaign.

Maybe if Huckabee had taken the skin off a few years ago he wouldn't have needed to lose all that weight. Then again he likely did it with a physician monitored weight loss plan thanks to the health insurance he has, but 47 million people are still without.

Talking about putting priorities in order, what will these clowns think of next.

wow, how pathetic. Huckabee is taking whatever he can get when it comes to attacking Romney. and building up McCain whenever he gets the chance. He practically drools over the liberal senator. he's running to be number two. they'll be announcing their engagement any day now.

Romney is the only True Republican who can beat the democrats this november! why do you think the media hates him so much and never gives him a break?

the thing the media isn't saying about the florida primary is that it's closed!! winner takes all!! and the polls they are showing are of independants and democrats and republicans! they aren't showing the republican vote only, which is what will count come tuesday. McCain won't have a prayer because he can't appeal to the party he's running for.

Ol Huck ought to stick to plucking strings and not feathers.

Wait, I thought Huckabee was trying to outlaw fatty foods in the US.

Flip flopper.

This insistence on the purity of southern food is why Huckabee is ballooning back into the whale he used to be. When those home-spun words come from a lean, dimpled face, he sounds folksy and friendly. When those words come out of a fat face, he seems like a slimy huckster. The fatter he gets, the worse the poll numbers fare. Coincidence?

Maybe if the Huck had not eaten the skin of Fried chicken he would not have had to lose 100+ pounds, once again I see in Romney a man of character that has a histroy of great management, even making the right choices when it comes to what he shoud eat in maintaining a healthy body.

What's funny to me is that Huckabee said he doesn't eat fried chicken at all! Maybe if he hadn't eaten the skin all those years, he never would have the need to diet. Can't wait for this idiot to be our next Pres. He'd make fun of a Rabbi for skipping on the pork chops!

OH what a bunch of babies. "WHERE ARE THE ISSUES? THIS ISN'T NEWS!" Blah Blah.

It's a ticker, not the mainline news. I wish I had a dollar for everytime one of you wasted all of our time writing how horrified you are that CNN dare publish stories such as these. Your mock indignation is pathetic at best.

It's a fun lighthearted story. I don't like Huckabee one bit as president, but don't bash the guy for kidding around and having a sense of humor.

What a bunch of childish morons! Why don't they take off their shirts and throw down like the small children they resemble? Seriously, who'd vote for these clowns?

Wow the hypocrite strikes again he critizes Romney but admits he doesn't eat fried chicken. Romney is in great shape and never had to have surgery to lose 100 pounds.

Oh Please. These two morons are not fit to be PTA President much less President of the U.S. Huckabee is a hick and Romney is the master of Flip/Flop.

Sorry JoMomma Oklahoma isn't part of the south. I don't know where you got that idea from but when someone ask someone else to name a southern state I'm pretty sure there answer isn't going to be Oklahoma! What "southern" people do you talk to that say Oklahoma is in the south?

By the way I'm from Va so I can say Oklahoma is NOT in the south!

Well Mike would eat the whole bucket! After Florida, we'll see Huckabee "sweatin to the oldies with Richard Simmons!"

I listened to both candidate's speeches yesterday on cnn and liked what Huckabee said a whole lot better than Romney. Huckabee seems to have good ideas and relates to what people's needs are as a whole and Romney is just a corporate machine it seems just thinking of the rich. I admit that the way someone eats their chicken is not a big deal though and not an issue with most people...lol. the difference I hear when listening to Huckabee and Romney is that if you elect Romney you are asking for more "Rich man, Poor man" politics and Huckabee is willing to bring jobs back to the US where people are in dire need of them. I'm not talking about retail jobs either where Americans earn crap wages and the rich get richer off of cheap imports...I am talking "real" jobs!

Funny coming from Huckabee, the guy who had to lose over 100 pounds so he wouldn't die from obesity before being able to run for Pastor, uh, I mean President of the United States.

Oklahoma, referred to as "the Indian Territory" until it became a state in 1907, was allied with the Confederacy. Since it technically wasn't a state in the Civil War period, it could be referred to as a Confederate territory rather than a Confederate state, but that's a bit of a quibble.

But speaking of "quibble," am I really supposed to seriously consider for the Presidency a couple of clowns who have an argument over chicken skin? What's next? Clinton and Obama arguing over chitlin's and grits?

Really, the best part of the fried chicken is the skin.

Isn't eating the skin the reason why Huckabee got so fat in the first place? Could it be the same reason why Huckabee doesn't eat the skin the same reason why Romney won't eat it? I love how Huckabee critizes people while he's doing it at the same time. Huckabee, what a joke.

Huckabee is losing more and more credibility with me, even for a republican. At least Romney is a respectable elephant, as well as McCain despite how republicans hate his middle-left views.

Huckabee needs to drop out. The confederacy folded almost 150 yaers ago, it's not coming back.

Good grief people, he was asked a question by a reporter about it. He didn't bring it up himself. Instead of saying "Mr. Reporter that's a dumb question" he acted with decency and had some light-hearted conversation. He also showed that he has a good knowledge of political history and knows how it relates to the question at hand. If anything, blame that question and conversation on the reporter that brought it up.

The trouble with Mitt is that he believes that he will become as powerful as God.

That belief, makes it hard to support him as a candidate. Religous beliefs would not exclude him from running for president. We do need to look at what it is to be Catholic, Mormon, Jewish or any other belief. Mormons have a system where other mormons can not go. These places are only open after meeting certain requirements. As for being as powerful as god that's one of their beliefs.

It's good to know where Southern priorities lie.

You can't trust a man who doesn't eat the skin off of fried chicken....:)

Another example of Huckabee's hipocrisy.

Boy, I'm sure glad this has come to light. I have traditionally waited to see whether a candidate eats his or her chicken with or without the skin on it to decide on my vote.

I sure hope Hukster's comments were in jest. If they weren't, the guy's a real flounder.

Huckabee was funny at first but now he just seems a bit childish.

Once again Huckabee is talking about the issues that matter most to him, what next? Is he going to see Romney eat a Pita and say how southerners prefer leavened bread to the weird pocket-bread? Remember this is from the guy who had multiple ads with Christian symbols and the guy who preached at a church while on the campaign trail and then whined because the media was looking more at his work as a pastor than as a governor. Its time to stick a fork in this baked chicken and head home to Arkansas Mr Huckabee.

thank goodness he knows what matters to America.

People in the southern part of the United States consider Oklahoma a "southern state." After all, it is next door to Arkansas! It beats me how CNN sets itself up as God Almighty and purports in "knowing everything." Maybe the gaffe is on you, Peter Hamby! Give me a break...you are going out of your way to make mean spirited remarks about Huckabee. Why don't you just say you hate him and don't want him to be President? Making snide remarks does not build your reputation but makes you look egotistical. Frankly, I'm tired of hearing remarks like yours...if you can't say something nice, just don't say it. It's one thing to have freedom of speech, but along with that goes responsibility. Personal insults have no place in freedom of speech because they are, after all, one man's opinion and meant as a personal slur.

Can this man sound any less stupid? With all of the issues facing our next president and he's going on about fried chicken? Even as a joke it sounds trite.

Is this seriously the only thing Huckster can say at this point?

Really, Mike, if you want to win this election your going to at least have to TRY to appeal to more than one demographic in the nation...

Everyone knows chicken skin is bad for you. Bet Chuck doesn't eat chiken skin either.

So, determining the leader of the free world is based on how someone eats their fried chicken? So, why are we languishing with debates and voting and campaigning etc? Let's just have an eating contest to pick our president.

This has to be the stupidest comment Huckabee has ever made, and he's made some doosies.

So what exactly does fried chicken skin have to do with the real issues?

Best not repeat that last line inside the state of Oklahoma. it prides itself as a great Southern state, a great Western state, and a great Southwestern state. Anyone who says otherwise probably doesn't know chicken fry from chicken kiev!

Yes, Mr. Arkansas Healthy........why try to make an issue over him eating healthy-altho be it in a "light" way?? ALWAYS twisting things to fit you politicallly. SAY what you might about religious tolerance, your ACTIONS SPEAK much louder! I've observed carefully your subtle, yet very intended NEGATIVE comments against the other religious man on the Republican side, Romney. Your veneer of Christian values appears VERY thin!!

Since when is Oklahoma a great southern state? Your reporter needs to learn the history of the Indian Nations of Oklahoma, slavery, the Civil War, the Battle of Pea Ridge and Stand Watie. Then he will know that the answer is that it was southern long before it was admitted into the Union as a state.

What in the world does what you eat have anything to do with running for president? This just goes to show how idiotic these top 3 contenders are. ronpaul2008.com

Ron Paul 2008