(CNN) – Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who announced Saturday he will not seek the Republican presidential nomination, said he thought he would make a run for the White House “up until a few days ago.”
“I honestly thought I would be in it,” Huckabee said on “Fox News Sunday.”
Although the 2008 presidential candidate said he is not ready to endorse a candidate for the GOP nomination, he acknowledged that other potential candidates, including former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, as well as declared candidate former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, may reap the benefits from his absence in the field.
“I think all of these folks, very clearly might benefit from it,” Huckabee said. “But those are some folks immediately, because of their strong positions on issues like life and traditional marriage, as well as fiscal conservativism.”
The Fox News host and former Baptist minister remains popular among social conservatives and registered well in national polls against President Obama and other potential Republican contenders.
While former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who Huckabee said left him a “wonderful” voicemail Saturday night, and real estate mogul Donald Trump didn’t make his list of favorites, ultimately he said he is a Republican and will support the GOP nominee in 2012.
“If Mitt Romney is the nominee for our party, I will support him because I believe Mitt Romney would be a better president of the United States than Barack Obama on any day,” Huckabee said. “And whether he is my first choice, I will support our nominee.”
“I believe Donald Trump would be better for America than Barack Obama, because he understands business,” Huckabee said.
From CNN Politics
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Who care get over It ,you wouldn't have won anyway. It the first thing I heard a Republican say In years.
If you're ready to support Trump for president because he is the republican nominee, you've put love of party over love of country.
“I believe Donald Trump would be better for America than Barack Obama, because he understands business,” Huckabee said.
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And this is why you are an EPIC failure backwoods boy, it is NOT about business it is about the AMERICAN PEOPLE!
“I believe Donald Trump would be better for America than Barack Obama, because he understands business,” Huckabee said.
If that's true..then Buffet should be the candidate instead.....at least he's never bankrupted...
Great deal for the Tea Party on less RINO to fight. Vote PAUL/Cain or Cain/Paul if the country is going to survive.
Maybe Mr. Huckabee is running for the same reason he would support Mr. Trump if he is nominated, and that is
the preacher has finally gotten confused between being a "prophet" and making a "profit". Too Bad.
I said he won’t run
Who will run this year people who wants to make money (writing a book tv show) will run for president they know they can’t beat Obama
Some are there they can beat Obama but they didn’t fit the FOX news or The Wall street Journal curriculum
Sad
Anyway obama is going to be reelected and almost all republicas know it, why risking a secure job.
Doesn't matter who Huckabee will support. The GOP candidate pool remains shamefully lacking in charisma, character, and quality. The blame falls squarely on the wingnut Family Values and Tea Party zealots in the GOP. Too many qualified candidates have been dimissed as being too moderate or not conservative enough on social values issues. The recipe for GOP failure in 2012 is an uninspiring candidate and writing off moderate, independent, and Latino voters.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?
Gov. Huckabee remembered the brutal nature of his 2008 campaign as he slugged it out against Romney and McCain; plus all the back slapping and baby kissing in small towns and on dirt roads.
Then Huckabee thought about his new plush $2-Million home he just bought in Florida, and the regular pay checks & visibility he receives compliments of Faux New; and then he asked himself why should he do something as stupid as to give it all up just to do battle on dirt roads with wackos like Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and maybe Sarah Palin with her new boyfriend Donald Trump. And if he makes it pass all that, he still must do battle with the 'chosen one' in the general election.
Gov. Huckabee made the correct decision. It ain't worth it.
Funny how a minister would support a man who cheated on at least 2 of his three wives, bore child out of wedlock, and runs a gambling industry. But I guess that's ok if you're a Republican. Ol' Rev Huck knows for sure he'll still make a nice steady income at FoxNews and all he has to do is go against Obama, even make up lies and then say he mis-spoke, and charge speaking fees for anyone who wants to listen. His heart must be connected to his wallet.
If your judgement is so clouded that you think Trump would make a good President, then you have no right being a responsible position for the entire country. Most people knew Huck was never going to run and he was just using the same tactics as many other sleaze bags to sell their books by pretending to care about the country.
For the love of money Huckabee takes a pass and people have been suckered into creating his wealth, he used the pulpit for his money pit.
At least Huckabee knows he doesn't have a chance at beating President Obama. But why doesn't he just go out and say he would rather have a bigger and easier paycheck with FOX than a tougher job and smaller paycheck with being the president?
Now, Donald Trump, Sarah Palin, or any GOP may be thinking:
'I believe Huckabee would be better for America than Barack Obama, because he understands God, and God could be understood by Huckabee.'
Is anyone really buying this hooey? C'mon, big fat gomer just built a multi-million dollar house – he's not going to hop off the fox gravy train when theres still rubes to fool.
He's a "huckster" all right.
Good for him, I hope that more Republicans would make the sensible choice and stay away from public office, as they would seem to be so lousy at it.
I guess he doesn't want to give up easy money from faux news. He would never win an election against anyone!
At least this southern Baptist, preacher-man, Evangelist, snake in the grass, is smart enough to realize he didn't stand a chance against Obama in the first place.........Besides, he'd rather have his own little platform to openly and freely lie through his yellow teeth everyday on his Faux Noise show.......Gotta make those payments on his newly built multi-million dollar mansion in Florida somehow ya know!
No surprise!! Money speaks!! Now Huckabee can stay on FOX and continue to make his millions. I just hope he also takes some time to reflect on himself and rediscover his misplaced Christian values!!!!
Another phony Christian. I'm sorry, "phony" and "Christian" mean the same thing. Jesus would turn his back on you, Michael.
Stay with the other Fox and Fiends crowd.
Huckabee is adhering to solid republican principles. Take the money and run!
Mike knew that now is time for the party to unite with only one real leader for a power full to take back America because he knew who is our true leader and we must unite with him,that why Mike decided not running and he will help him take back this great nation( if we united we will win but if we divided we will lose) thanks a lot for Mike leadership who care the nation more than himself,Mitt/Mike 2012.
The Huckster is adhering to solid republican principles. Take the money and run! That also works well for neoconservative, christian ministers.
Well, looking at the GOPer Presidential field....I'm voting for Obama and so are my other independent Friends, Romney look likes the Republican best bet but, I think he'll still have a hard time defending Romney care.