U.S. Edition
Washington (CNN) - Mike Huckabee quietly met with dozens of House Republican lawmakers here in the nation's capital on Wednesday, as the former Arkansas governor and 2008 Republican presidential candidate mulls another bid for the White House.
According to two sources close to Huckabee, the former governor received a "warm welcome" from "an enthusiastic crowd," which consisted of 73 GOP House members.
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The sources say that the 2016 presidential race and the possibility of another Huckabee candidacy were the topics of conversation during the meeting, and that the larger than expected crowd encouraged Huckabee.
While in Washington Tuesday and Wednesday, the sources say that Huckabee is also attending other meetings, including one at the Republican National Committee. He is doing some fundraising for HuckPAC, the political action committee he founded back in 2008 to promote conservative causes.
The sources said that regarding another White House bid, "all options are on the table" and that Huckabee's "taking the steps necessary should he decide to run."
Huckabee, who's also a pastor, won the January 2008 Iowa Republican caucuses, which kick off the presidential caucus and primary calendar, propelling his once long-shot campaign. He ran a strong second in many of the following primaries and caucuses to eventual GOP nominee Sen. John McCain, thanks in part to his strong support among social conservatives, who are an important part of the Republican party's base.
Late last year Huckabee started talking like someone who was interested in running for president again. It was a very different language than what we heard from Huckabee prior to the 2012 election cycle, which the Fox News Channel weekend host sat out.
Huckabee held meetings in Iowa and South Carolina, which holds the first southern primary, talking not only to social conservatives but also but also business leaders, many of whom were suspicious of his economic populism during his 2008 run.
In an interview with the Washington Post late last year, Huckabee said he was receiving encouragement to launch another campaign "from places where I never got it before," including "business, people some would maybe call the establishment."
At the end of last year Huckabee told Fox News that there was about a 50-50 chance he'd run for president again in 2016, and said he'd make final decision after November's midterm elections.
Next month Huckabee speaks at a Faith and Freedom Coalition event in Des Moines, Iowa and at a "Freedom Summit" in New Hampshire, which holds the first in the nation primary.
CNN's most recent national polling in the race for the 2016 GOP nomination, conducted earlier this month, indicated Huckabee placed fourth among potential GOP White House hopefuls, at 10%.
And 65% of Iowa Republicans questioned recently in a Des Moines Register poll said they thought it would be a good idea if the former Arkansas governor ran for president again.
the clown car is getting more crowded every day....better get the plungers like they use on the Japanese subways
Don't you like the way Republicans have potential 2016 candidates getting exposure by working as TV hosts on Fox News? Gingrich did it. Santorum did it. Scott Brown is doing it now, just like Huckabee. Who's next, Hannity?
This religion rant is another 2nd century bum. Neither he nor any one that bum bunch of clown car of GOP a threat at all. –because they do not talk substantial. These guys are in the hands of Koch brothers, Sheldon Adelson, idiots like Rush, Ann Coulter, Glenn Beck. Very pathetic. Just vote straight Democratic Ticket. God bless!!!!
Oh good. A hypocrite cloaking himself in the Lord while spewing messages of division and bigotry. What could go wrong?
worst part is, it doesnt matter who the GOP parade out in front, they will be handcuffed and flogged behind closed doors and legislate in the way the behind the scenes oligarchs decide. The GOP has no meaning anymore, no standard to bear. Their public image and public message change daily, but their core remains ever the same, create wealth for the wealthy, reduce the middle class to slave labor dependent on their oligarch masters to decided what is morally right for them.
That is the GOP brand and message, almost Every piece of legislation produced by them in the last 30 years was to this end. They shroud their message by pretending to be 'holier than though' and carrying a gun to try and intimidate.
"Uncle Sugar" should run- it will help Democrats gain more female voters. Perhaps he and Santorum can be the Inquisition ticket for 2016. Think of all we'll learn about the Right between now and then.
Mike Huckleberry is a joke. It's amazing what low standards Republicans have.
guest
That is the GOP brand and message, almost Every piece of legislation produced by them in the last 30 years was to this end. They shroud their message by pretending to be 'holier than though' and carrying a gun to try and intimidate. -----------------------– [co-signed]
Even the Reagan advisor, David Stockman, who had came up with the phrase "trickle down", has said exactly that. He's called the Republican tax policies a "trojan horse" for the sole purpose of reducing and eliminating taxes for the wealthy. It's working, too. Folks like Mitt Romney can go years without actually paying much of anything in taxes. It's all about the GREED, folks, and the Republicans are the party that is their beholden servatnts.
Lynda/Minnesota Oh good. A hypocrite cloaking himself in the Lord while spewing messages of division and bigotry. What could go wrong? ------------------------------ co-sign
What kind of christianity did they teach down there at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary?
I used to like Huckabee, but comments made in the past few months about women and birth control were just so stupid it made me cringe. The government should be secular as is indicated in the founding documents. I believe that government has a responsibility to make sure that the citizens have access to all forms of medical care which includes birth control. Many subjects seem to be based solely on a male view point; Viagra is an available perscription but not birth control pills. I wish people would be more accepting of getting everything covered. If there is something that you won't use, then don't use it. Don't obstruct other people.
Keep religion and the powers of the government separate. This is important, maybe more so than the rights being trampled that get more press time. Think about it.
@ Dutch/Bad Newz, VA -aka- Take Back The House:
Hate thy neighbor comes to mind. Not exactly following Christ no matter how thick you spread the slime.
Dutch/Bad Newz, VA -aka- Take Back The House
Lynda/Minnesota Oh good. A hypocrite cloaking himself in the Lord while spewing messages of division and bigotry. What could go wrong? ---------- co-sign
What kind of christianity did they teach down there at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary? ===================================================== Uh. That the South should have won. And, that's no joke. Hank Williams, Jr. once wrote a record breaking hit song about it.