Huckabee warns Palin: Don't leave GOP
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/07/15/art.huckpalin.gi.jpg caption="Huckabee wants Palin to stay in the GOP."](CNN) - Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has a warning for Sarah Palin: Don't abandon the Republican Party.
The former presidential candidate and potential future White House rival of Palin's said Tuesday he's concerned about speculation the Alaska governor may leave the GOP to become an independent.
"I hope she remains - let me be real clear - a part of the Republican Party," Huckabee told FOX News. "I'm a little concerned when I hear her say that she may sort of branch out and go third party or go independent. That would be a big mistake because we need to rebuild the Republican Party, not abandon it."
The comments come days after Palin told the Washington Times she intends to spend her days out of the Alaska governor's mansion campaigning for both Republican and Democratic candidates whose ideas she supports. That prompted speculation the onetime GOP vice presidential candidate could consider running for office in the future as a third party candidate.
But Huckabee - who, like Palin, is thought to be considering a White House bid in 2012 - said Palin has an important role to play in the Republican Party.
"I want her to succeed, and I'm delighted to see her continuing to use her voice because I do think that she rallies people," he said. "She brought electricity to the Republican ticket last year, when, frankly, there was about as much excitement as you would see, you know, at a - at a Baptist dance, which means there wasn't any, until she showed up for the ticket. And then there was fire going forth."
Related: Poll: Majority of Republicans don't think Palin's qualified for prez
Huckabee - now a commentator for FOX News - also praised Palin's recent Washington Post op-ed attacking President Obama's support of a "cap and trade" program, saying it shows her "serious side."
From CNN Politics
- Ron Klain emerges as a force behind the scenes -- and on Twitter February 28, 2021 01:31 am
- Grenell may run for California governor if recall effort advances February 27, 2021 11:22 pm
- Fact check: CPAC speakers make false claims about the election, the Capitol attack and The Muppets February 27, 2021 11:16 pm
- Sasse blasts party for 'weird worship of one dude' after Nebraska GOP rebukes him for impeachment vote February 27, 2021 10:45 pm
- Fact check: Biden's pick for HHS secretary says he never sued nuns as California attorney general February 27, 2021 09:10 pm
- Trump makes fundraising moves ahead of CPAC speech February 27, 2021 08:57 pm
When will they learn? They just love doofus candidates. This woman keeps trying to show them that she is unqualified but they keep talking about how good she is. She lost the election for them last year and they are determined to walk the plank again in 2012.
I was all for Huckabee until he brought his religious beliefs into politics, he was sound on fiscal management. Why can't these guys get it through their head that you can't legislate morality. It is an individuals right to believe in the God of their choice as it is an individuals right to hate who they wish, they can't legislate it away. People are just the highest evolved order of animal with all the same natural faults. No matter what, we are a hair width away from stepping back to our primordial roots, it only took 4-days during Katrina...
She's just being all Maverick-y again – you betcha!
Huckabee is a wash up Repubican. Thats why he is on a wash up TV network, Fox News Network aka Republican News Network. Basically Huckabee doesn't want her to come and have her own show on the same network as him, due to the fact that shes going to take away all of the viewers, and most likely they going to replace him with her.
Of course, the Repugnantcans need all the votes they can get, whether its from their moderate, sane voters or their right-wing nutjobs. If Palin pulls away the latter, then the party will be split, guaranteeing they will NEVER hold elected office again!!! Sounds to good to be true.
Lets hear all the "GET OUT OF THE SPOTLIGHT PALIN" comments. The media seeks her out to bash.
Can we rename this the "Palin Ticker"? After all, that is what it has become.
Huckabee just want's Palin to stay in the defunct GOP to be a distraction, so he is seen as a more viable candidate to the last remaining Republican voters.
I can't wait to hear what sex/money scandal he is involved in that we will hear about before the end of year.
What is wrong with this picture? Hair falling out , very stressed constantly Lies. Palin is in for a Meltdown. No the Dems don't
want this woman or joe the plumber, or Mr Cook who fails to
fulfill his Military Obligation because He Has a grudge against
Hawaii the Birth Place Of Our Wonderful President!!!
Huckebee can have Palin, Joe the fake plumber,and the un patriotic
Mr Cook. The mental instituition is open for all including Rick\
Perry and Chuck Norris!!!!!! Nut Jobs Welcome
I never dreamed in my wildest dreams that Palin would leave the republican party. What a wonderful wonderful thought. She could take all of the crazies with her! THe Republicans as an entity would be ruined, the crazies would be identifiable, and -god willing- honest, thoughtful, logical conservatism can make a comeback.
Please please please please please please please please....
Palin is a Bush, Cheney, Limbaugh, Hannity, Joe the Plumber Republican. I'm not sure what party she would branch out to.
C'mon CNN
enough with Sarah Palin. You guys keep trying to fram her as some sort of important figure in the Republican party, when iun reality she's not. I have been a Republican all my life, and I voted for McCain in spite of her. She's,kind of a joke. And without McCain she would not get 5% of the popular vote in a presidential race – especially against media golden boy Obama. I have yet to speak with one single Republican who would even remotely consider voting for Sarah Palin.
There are real Republican possibilities for Presidential consideration. How come you guys don't cover them?
Frankly, Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty makes a better political party than the Republican Party.
The Republican Party is dead to the majority of Americans primarily because of their lack of understanding of the needs and wants of the average American; plus their no brain lemmingish following and support of the G.W. Bush Presidency.
Way to Go Palin – Go even crazier than anyone thought, Go Indipendent. I am loving it.
51% of your fellow Right Wing Nuts do not think you are Qualified to be President – Show them you are. There are enough Crazy repubs who will follow you.
Drill Baby Drill; Oh that should be go indipendent go.
She will be a good VP for Rush to failure.
I like Mike Huccabee's views to not only address the people's physical concerns (economy, climate change, education...) but also reminds them to obey God with respect to life, family and/social values (real marriage).
God bless Mike.
Mike , you are a class guy , keep up the good work. To all the Palin bashing libs that will surely throw darts remember "Hope is not a plan"
I totally agree with The Huckster. Palin should stay a Republican and go around the country to support any and all Republican candidates. Especially here in Texas. What better way to remind Independents who and what the current Republican Party represents? I understand Rick Perry/Texas and Sarah/Todd Palin/Alaska have much in common, so make sure y'all get your tix to the Secession Party!
who cares about either of these idiots...they can stick in that party cuz that's all they have! Indepents this time woke up, but they're so indecisive they'll probably fall for it again in 2012 and vote for another retarded republican!
Let her go, Go!
"and then there was fire going forth"... You betcha! With incendiary divisive remarks inciting shoutings like "Kill him! Kill him!" there was fire for sure. Not the kind of fire that's good for this country.
The Independents can have her.
Democrats do not want Palin and an Independent she can never be because to be an Independent you can not be closed minded. Palin needs to stay with the republican party and stay out in the wilderness.
Another day, another CNN Palin story with the requisite liberal commentary. YAWN.
I'd love to see her run as in independent. She would get about 20% of normally Republican votes, and about 20 normally Democratic votes. ( Yes, 20 votes, not 20%! )
CNN's lead-in title for this article is so misleading-projecting a negative:
Huckabee WARNING Palin ..... sounds to me like he is begging
her to stay in the Republican Party.
Whatever Huckabee is doing .... it isn't ... WARNING.
WARNING ... ?
BEGGING sounds more like the truth of the situation.