[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."
Is anyone out there tired of hearing the republican critics? I know I am... Everyday since president Obama was elected in to office, I have had to listen to endless stories about what president Obama did wrong for the day. They bring emails, FOX news articles and share Rush Limbaugh stories; the intensity is like a rally of the local church trying to convert the town atheist. I wish the republican diehards would give it a rest. You didn't see every democrat trying to convert republican voters when JW was in the seat.
Give it a rest republican’s, because some of us democrat voters are tired of hear it!
P.S. If I get one more Obama is a Muslim article, I am going to scream.
Signed
Tired of hearing it!
Doesn't sound like a warning. But, if a warning is what you want to hear, so be it. The leftist elite in the media are so galvanized by Palin, I'm surprised it wasn't seen as a rebuke.
Please give us a break. This lady is not fit for any office. My 9 year old grandaughter is smarter than she is. It is just amazing how the republican party operates. No one knows what is going on. They are really showing their true colors since they lost the election. This party is definitely a train wreck. More is coming out on their members. No one wants to be a part of these fools agenda.
Palin's "serious side"?She's a quitter.She has NO serious side.Nor will most people pay any attention to anything she say's or does.She
shot herself in the foot,when she quit .
Funny how a backwoods preacher and a moron have become the faces of the Reoublican party. Makes sense I guess.
Last time I checked this is America and you can belong to any party you wish.wether or not she would be welcomed addition to that party is another matter.
She is so yesterday's news.. the lady was a quack..How about reporting on real news!! .
So what is she runs as Independent? I don't particularly care for her but contrary to what it is today our system was not set up as simply a two party system of Republican and Democrat. Multiple parties were supposed to be allowed into the fray.
Poor Mr. Huckabee... You all can't win without Palin!!!! Sad!!!! Sad!!! Sad!!! Did you understand her speech on July 3th??? Maybe you should have her as your running mate (President or Vice President)...
Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee both need to be put on a slow boat to nowhere, and never get off. They are both republician blow hards, They both think they can fix what is wrong, but neither one has done that in their states, so please go away. thank you
She needs to go independant and take the ultra christian fundamentalist wing of the republican party with her. Either that or the politically conservative branch of the party needs to go independant. I would really prefer that, but we all saw what happened when Ross Perot started a viable third party. The christian fundamentalists came in and destroyed it driving out all the reasonable candidates. Good riddance to her. I say go and don't let the door hit you. The people who follow the true republican ideals of smaller government, oversight vs regulation and libertarian values will be much better off.
Every time Palin opens her mouth she gets a little less popular.
Her op-ed in the Washington Post the other day was a great demonstration of a person who loves to talk but has very little to say. She wrapped up three or four insults in some worn out cliches and including nothing factual.
She is poison to the party and completely unelectable.
The reason Mr. Huckabee doesn't want Governor Palin to leave the Republican Party is that her presence provides an easy and stark contrast for him. If a comparison is ever warranted, he will look like a mental giant in comparison to the Alaskan Brood Sow.
Sorry, Gomer, but some people refuse to buy into the staged two party system.
I don't see any WARNING in Huckabee's statements. I think you may have used the wrong word there. Maybe it was used to gain attention for a pretty boring story? You gave a negative feel to a positive statement and sentiment. She isn't being WARNED not to leave the GOP, he's practically begging her not to leave. Are you all Democrats?
Why is anyone still reporting on Palin? Is it because the media likes a train wreck?
And what will a new Republican Party platform look like? Gay marriage was ceded by Cheney, Stem Cell research ceded by Nancy Reagan, Fiscal responsibility and small government ceded by Bush I & II, and family values and biblical living have been ceded by way too many to even name. What's left? ohhhh.....War and Power!
i think that her leaving the Republican party for a third party would cripple the Republican party thats why he doesn't want her to leave. i hope she does what she feels is best fit to help this nation, and not because of political affliation.
CNN – Haven't done enough Sarah Palin stories? I like Sarah Palin and it's too bad the media destroyed her. Democrats obviously choose their candidates based on their great speaking abilities and not substance. You may not like Palin but she is right when she talks about Obamas "Crap and Tax" plan. You fools will all realize that the rich aren't going to be paying for your higher energy bills and the it's just another excuse for them to dig into our pockets even more.
Waiting for Sniffles and Melissa to hop on board the Palin Bashing. Keeps them occupied!
who cares
Oh please..... please.... start a new party...... go Sarah!
Sarah palin is looking for short cut; she is trying to avoid the battle of the primary, but that will not solve her lack of valuable education. She has a lot of cash on hand, enough to pay her tuition and her SAT training course
Palin ,has already left the (GOP) she knows the (PARTY OF NO FUTURE) is (Gone with the Wind) The (independants )dont want her,she is a quitter, and will never forget that (LIE) about (Barack Obama ) pals around with terrorists. (HUCKABEE) better be more about his rating on that (Fox False News Show) it is the most sorry show i have ever had a short (LOOK) at. She is done, CNN knows she is cooked, The whole (MEDIA) knows she is (deleted). The only party that (palin) is going to is ....................(NOT ANY PARTY).....
I think Palin needs to go to an ivy leave university to master the science of politics because she needs to retool herself. Eventhough we have a comedian in the White House and he is smart and intelligent. Right Palin do not stand on nothing even her faith. The GOP needs mind transformation and right now there is someone out there to lead the GOP and it not that who is trying to steal the spotlight.
You would rebuild the republican party on sarah palin?
Please do!