Mike Huckabee Laments 'Toxic Atmosphere' In 2012 Republican Primary

In an interview with an Israeli TV station, Mike Huckabee lamented the current state of the Republican party, stating that the GOP's 'toxic atmosphere' had discouraged him for running for president in 2012.

Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas and a GOP presidential candidate in 2008, announced last May that he would not seek the Republican nomination this year, much to the disappointment of many in his party.

He discussed his decision during the interview on Sunday, explaining that "this was not the good year" for him to run again, despite his strong poll numbers.

"I think that there is just such a toxic atmosphere right now, specifically in the Republican party," he said. "I would love to say that it's going to be all about ideas and solutions, but unfortunately a lot of it is about just being able to say, 'I'm more angry at the Obama administration than somebody else.' That's not what motivates me politically or governmentally. I believe it ought to be about solutions."

Huckabee's comments reflect the sentiment of many in the Republican party who feel that the contentious primary is doing more harm than good. On Monday, former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, another prominent GOP figure who many hoped would pursue higher office, made a similar statement, telling CBS News that the brutal primary season was detracting from the party's goals. "Any time we're not talking about Obama's policies and the results of those policies, we're not talking about what's the best thing for Republicans in the election," he said.

Barbour also announced last spring that he would not seek the presidency in 2012.

Although Huckabee would not say if he planned to run in 2016, he did not eliminate the possibility.

"You know, you never rule anything out for the long term," he said. "I very might well do that."

Huckabee has not made an endorsement in this year's race, and again declined the invitation to make one during Sunday's interview.

"There's nobody I'd put a yard sign up for right now," he said.

Watch the full interview:

Earlier on HuffPost:

 

 

Comments

[Philclock]

05:32 PM on 03/09/2012

I have never encountered more hate, envy and coveting than from the Democratic National Party: hatred of the "rich", the "whites", the Republicans", the businessman, the Christians, the successful; and all this hate is funneled into politics of retribution, abusing government power to exact a toll on anybody that the Democratic Party puts into these groups.

Unbelievable. Evolution of the Democratic Party from the 50's, the party of the little guy; to the party of self-anointed elites painting their picture of utopia on the rest of us, and treating we the great unwashed as deadwood in the way, sweeping aside any resistance. Compromise? Fahgidaboutit!! Democrats and Obama are one-party legislators, regulators, mandators; if Congress doesn't give 'em what they want, then the Federal Government will. No surprise that Obama has the greatest number of czars ever.

I'm suspicious of politicians in general, selling their "solutions" and running up our national credit card. This last lot since 2006 and 2008 is the worst of the bunch in my lifetime.

THROW THE BUMS OUT, clean house in 2012; then put a leash, pull the national credit card, from the next lot!

Up to us, or we enslave my high schooler and his generation with debt, cronyism and 24/7 webcams in their face, roadblocks to THEIR freedoms, and the choices THEY want.

[Nell608]

03:08 AM on 02/28/2012

It wasn't long ago that Huckabee wasn't interested in running for President and it seemed he likes the over-indulged lifestyle he has become accustomed to. Now he conveniently finds the atmosphere too toxic. Better to find fault than admit to a need for greed, both money and fawning audiences.

[kevanstory]

12:26 AM on 02/28/2012

... From all indications the entire Republican party is a toxic entity... and all the Republican presidential wannabes are toxic.

[PhDcommonsense]

12:04 AM on 02/28/2012

I wonder who or which Party that might be Mr. Huckabee started that started the Toxic Atmosphere in the Republican Party? Of Course I expect you to blame it on President Obama. You can look at yourself first, Mr. Christian Right man. You can throw out Lies with the best in your Party, especially about the President and his Kenyan Mau Mau Tendencies according to you Mr. Huckabee.

The Republicans pushed Money = Free Speech, now your own Candidates are using it to the MAX on each other. Your Party HAS EVEN MADE UP A DIFFERENT President Obama with your Money and Fox Network. The Rest of us know who we elected. Now the "Activists" Conservative Supreme Court has given you so much money to work with TO DEFEAT President Obama, what is the Republican Party to do but form a "Circular Firing Squad" on itself" and everyone's Billionaire supporting their favorite.

To Think you guys got Bachmann out of the Race Misquoting what the Founding Fathers Intent was. Now you have Santorum, who has no idea that the Country was founded on Separation of Church and State, because they HAD some visionaries, who could look into the future and see the Same Mess AND the REASON they LEFT Europe FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

Also Mr. Huckabee, if President Santorum gets his way, Churches will have to start paying their fair share to the TAX MAN if they are going to be IN CHARGE OF THE
GOVERNMENT.

[LovelyGirl]

11:49 PM on 02/27/2012

Because the GOP is tolerating a bunch of bigots this year who assume that their rhetoric will appeal to the masses.

[Thisboy]

11:32 PM on 02/27/2012

Like the Strychnine calling the Arsenic poison.

[poulsbro]

11:31 PM on 02/27/2012

Thanks, Huckabuck. Please observe that it is just as unacceptable to have a Baptist minister from Arkansas who believes the earth is only 10,000 years old running for president as it is for the Catholic fundamentalists, Rick and Newt, or the Mormon puppet, Mitt. When an avowed atheist runs for president, I just might take an interest again in American politics.

[oink2u2]

11:24 PM on 02/27/2012

If the GOP doesn't win in November, does that mean God didn't actually promise them they'd win? Were Bachmann, Perry, Santorum, et al, all misinformed about God's will? Is it a sign from God that He/She loves the Democrats best, because they advocate for poor humans, social justice and peace? How will the Conservative Christians reconcile that outcome?

Oh, right: It was the Liberal media ...

[texasphd]

01:34 AM on 02/28/2012

After Obama wins reelection, I imagine god will chuckle and say, "I really did want those nabobs to run, so MY FAVORITE PRESIDENT would be reelected! Joke's on you, losers!"

[peter777]

11:19 PM on 02/27/2012

I hope Mike Hukabee stays discouraged from running for president. We do not need a rerun of church first, faith preaching hypocrites. That would be Mike Hukabee's approach- more of what we have heard from the GOP candidates this season.

[francfist]

06:05 AM on 02/28/2012

I did like his suggestion during his campaign that home loan documents should be one page long, not forty.

[Thisboy]

11:12 PM on 02/27/2012

"Any time we're not talking about Obama's policies and the results of those policies, we're not talking about what's the best thing for Republicans in the election,"
The Repubs are not talking about Obama's policies because those policies pulled us out of a near depression,saved our auto industry, killed our most dangerous terrorist enemies ,actually has increased American manufacturing has made America less oil dependent then we have been in a decade. Why would they want to?. No wonder they must resort to bashing the gays, woman ,Muslims,Mexicans and advocating Evangelical Rehabilitation for every American?

[buddbo1]

10:58 PM on 02/27/2012

Huckabee can blame himself for some of that toxic fever going on with the GOP !

[R Car]

10:56 PM on 02/27/2012

Huckabee laughing all the way to the bank selling his revisionist children's videos

http://thelastword.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/03/7243270-huckabees-911-kids-video-yes-really

When will conservative voters realize they are just cash cows for the republican party..

[deckercat]

10:29 PM on 02/27/2012

no wonder they wish to kill the EPA.

[texasphd]

01:36 AM on 02/28/2012

Oh, I know you dint!

[Zhenya]

09:56 PM on 02/27/2012

He knew quite well that the campaign would play out this way which is why he didn't run. He is also part of the FOX machine that has created this climate and toxicity. What a hypocrit. You help light the fire then become alarmed that the building is burning. Really.

[R Car]

10:51 PM on 02/27/2012

Fanned & Faved

[Thisboy]

11:18 PM on 02/27/2012

Isn't that a description of all Republicans?. Purposely start an economic inferno and then obstruct and criticize those that try to put it out.

[BDU]

09:43 PM on 02/27/2012

Don't know where he gets off complaining about toxins in politics. He's on the air with ads that say the healthcare bill was cobbled together in back rooms by sleazy congressmen. Did he miss the vote in the house and senate? He implies the American people were taken advantage of--seeming to forget they elected President Obama and the congress that passed the bill. The worst kind of smear--to suggest a conspiracy rather than what it was: democracy at work. What makes Huckabee's more despicable is his fuzzy, banjo-playing aw shucks crap. Do I hope he goes back to Ak and runs for state comptroller--and loses. Go away.