Mike Huckabee 2012 Run Looking More Likely, Key Supporter Says

WASHINGTON -- The pieces are coming together for a serious presidential run by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, another influential southern Republican said Thursday.

"It looks like things continue to fall in place," former South Carolina Gov. David M. Beasley told The Huffington Post. "You know, like Haley Barbour getting out -- another southern governor who could take votes."

Beasley said that many of the operatives released by Barbour, the current governor of Mississippi, might be inclined to work for Huckabee.

"I don’t think there’s any doubt that [Barbour's] supporters in the south and nationwide would be predisposed. Their first thoughts would be toward Huckabee ... because of his southern conservative credentials," Beasley said.

But, he cautioned, "you don’t know what will be that final one thing that will cause him to say he’s doing it."

Beasley managed the Palmetto State from 1995 to 1999 and was a key Huckabee backer in his 2008 run. The one-time supporter said he spoke to the former governor and current Fox News host on Wednesday about speculation on a South Carolina blog that Huckabee was releasing potential campaign workers to go work for other candidates.

"He was really upset about it," Beasley said of Huckabee. "It really gave you a pretty clear indication that he is seriously considering [a presidential run]."

Lending support to Beasley's comments are reports about the activities of Huckabee's political action committee. According to sources who asked not to be named, HuckPAC is offering campaign positions to operatives under the premise that a run is a done deal. (HuckPAC director Hogan Gidley has denied that any final decision has been made.)

Huckabee's 2008 campaign manager Ed Rollins also said he thinks the Arkansan will decide to make another go at the GOP nomination. Huckabee remains one of the top names in most polls measuring Republican voter attitudes toward the 2012 field.

Most insiders expect Huckabee to make his formal announcement by early June.

Comments

[twosexy4mycat]

05:17 PM on 05/14/2011

mormon king romney NOT

[twosexy4mycat]

05:14 PM on 05/14/2011

simple sarah, well that says it all.

[twosexy4mycat]

05:14 PM on 05/14/2011

newt too much bad baggage

[twosexy4mycat]

05:13 PM on 05/14/2011

NO ONE named huckabee can be president. huckabye bye

[tulsey]

07:38 PM on 04/30/2011

Dear Gov Porkchop, please run. And explain your belief that the dinosaurs died off 'cause they wouldn't fit on Noah's Ark.

[kinogod]

11:46 AM on 04/30/2011

At least there will be a reprieve for the squirrels of Arkansas.

[Edward Standley]

07:22 PM on 04/29/2011

Oh yeah, an extreme right wing teevee preacher for President. That'll really fly in the general election. Go Mikey, go Mikey :)

[tulsey]

07:40 PM on 04/30/2011

Don't worry, Other than Sting and Sir Paul, a bassist rearely becomes the front man.

[AnybodyButObama]

07:18 PM on 04/29/2011

To beat Obama we need to energize the Republican grassroots! Help us with our efforts by going to funds.gofundme.com/AnybodyButObama and making a donation.

[Edward Standley]

07:24 PM on 04/29/2011

You're gonna need it. The President is about 10 cents shy of $1B as it is. With our new "Republican approved" skeevy and disgusting contribution machine, it's gonna go up fast.

[JessWonderin]

07:51 PM on 04/29/2011

The "grassroots" gets stomped on by the GOPosers every time they get onto office .... WHY would anyone "contribute" to THAT??

ABO .... Always Backing Obama ...

[Fetus]

04:25 PM on 04/29/2011

Is it just me or is it looking not only more likely but also more boring? Snore.

[Snerdgronk]

03:46 PM on 04/29/2011

Mau Mau Mike ... another win-(R) for the wing-(R)z ... !!!

Snerd

[EllyB]

03:41 PM on 04/29/2011

The only good that can come from a Huckabee candidacy is the cold hard light of day that will shine on this false prophet's world.

[tacevad]

01:51 PM on 04/29/2011

meanwhile over at Drudgereport.com they are saying the opposite :)

[joelb5000]

11:46 AM on 04/29/2011

I do not want a former Baptist preacher, homophobic nut, Fox News pundit as my President. Seriously, it should be obvious to the GOP why they're so hated.

[Edward Standley]

07:26 PM on 04/29/2011

They really, really believe they are loved above all else, especially by God. They really do!

[tulsey]

07:58 PM on 04/30/2011

Hey, just because Huck wants to ban the mini-skirt, quaranteen The Gays, thinks the earth is 6000 years old. and has released prisioners who went on to kill cops. Viability is an issue which every MSM Understands. They will ride this pony untill he falters. Aren't the Gop debates supposed to start next week?They got nothin'. Even the low information voters are beginning to wise up. And if the Dems Suit Up and spread the Progressive gospel, what a wonderful world it can be.

[CharlieVer]

11:24 AM on 04/29/2011

Wayne DuMond LOVES Mike Huckabee! Wayne DuMond was a psycho rapist who also loved self mutilation. He was arrested during the governorsh­ip of Bill Clinton. A right wing campaign took place falsely accusing Bill Clinton of framing DuMond. There was ample evidence that he was guilty including the moving and horrific testimony of the victim. When Mike Huckabee became governor, the victim pleaded with him not to release DuMond. Huckabee released DuMond anyway, because it would look bad for Bill Clinton and also because he believed that DuMond had a religious conversion and had found Christ. DuMond was paroled and later went on to commit rape and murder of a pregnant woman in Missouri.

[Lisa Hartwell]

02:33 PM on 04/29/2011

Very interesting.......

[Edward Standley]

07:28 PM on 04/29/2011

Huck is a rube. 99% of prisoners "find Jesus", looks good at parole hearing time. Post your comment everywhere.

[PickOneTwoThree]

10:57 AM on 04/29/2011

Then he should quit his job at Fox.