Huckabee's Not Running: Who Really Benefits?

So, Mike Huckabee's not in the 2012 GOP presidential race,.
Now, the mainstream media will quickly say that this is a clear indication that the Big Guns -- the candidates who can really win -- are shying away from the race. And, as always, this will be spun as good news for Obama & Co. Expect death notices for the 2012 GOP to come fast and furious. Many will pronounce the race "over" before it even begins. And the pundits will say that the GOP lineup is composed of a bunch of crackpots and radicals -- second tier candidates.
But, we've still got a long way to go.
And some prospective candidates will actually beneifit from Huckabee not being in the race.
Here's who should be cheered by (and may even be boosted by) the news:
1) Mitch Daniels. The Governor of Indiana is now more likely to enter the contest and rapidly gather mainstream support. He must be considered a formidable contender.
2) Mitt Romney. Huckabee was the main impediment to a Romney nomination last time. With Huckabee out of the race, Romney should have an easier time of it.
3) Paul Ryan. No telling whether or not he's even interested, but Nice Guy Huckabee's departure makes room for other, more moderate, more common-sense conservatives like Ryan.
4) Sarah Palin. Huckabee boasted genuine conservative credentials. There is now no real, national conservative figure for the right to rally round -- not a serious one, anyway. Palin could decide that this opens the door for her.
5) Chris Christie. I know. I know. I know he says there's no way he will run. I believe him. Still, Chris Christie really doesn't have to run - or declare just yet. Because now Huckabee's departure sort of scrambles the race and allows Christie & Co. to keep their options open if they so desire.

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Why Huckabee's Not Running: Five Big Reasons

There were lots of considerations.
And Mike Huckabee says there was a great deal of "deep personal reflection."
Huckabee says his family and supporters were ready for him to run and support was strong throughout the country,
But, in the end, he concluded: "My heart said 'no.'"
In addition to that personal heart/gut factor, here are the FIVE BIG REASONS why Huckabee is not running for president:
1. He's already a huge success. Huckabee's an appealing, certified, national personality. He's recognized and treated kindly wherever he goes.
2. He's a financial success. He's made a ton of money in his new role and can live comfortably and care for himself and his family. Life is good.
3. He's still got time. He can always run in 2016. The lessons of Ronald Reagan endure.
4. It won't be an easy race. It's always difficult to beat an incumbent president. Now, after the killing of Osama Bin Laden, Obama will be even harder to beat.
5. Huckabee's at peace with himself and at a good place in life. You can't put a price tag on that. It's priceless. And his future looks nonetheless bright. He remains highly respected nationally and in GOP circles.

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Huckabee: His Heart Says NO

Huckabee says his decision NOT to run for president was based on "deep personal reflection."
All the factors said 'go' according to Huckabee but "my heart said no."
And so he will not run.

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Huckabee Announces: He WON'T Run in 2012

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee just announced on his Fox News show that he WILL NOT RUN for President in 2012. Details ahead.

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Gallup: No Clear Leader In GOP '12 Race

Gallup has a new poll out that shows Huckabee, Romney and Palin bunched together at the top of the battle for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.
And while Romney and Huckabee have been ahead at various times, Palin has never been in the lead.
Currently Huckabee leads Romney but the margins are still close.
Here's an excerpt from Gallup's analysis of the situation:

There is no clear front-runner for the 2012 Republican nomination, which is a departure from what it has been in years prior to a presidential election. Huckabee may be the closest thing to a front-runner at this point, but he has yet to hold a statistically significant lead in any survey. But his candidacy, as well as that of Sarah Palin, is far from assured.
Romney would apparently benefit more from Huckabee's sitting out the race than from Palin's doing so, and he would move to the front of the field (though not by a statistically significant margin) if neither Huckabee nor Palin runs.
All of this underscores the current wide-open nature of the race, which could eventually find some structure in the coming months as the potential candidates make official decisions about entering the race, begin to campaign in earnest, and face each other in a series of scheduled debates starting in May.

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Huckabee Clarifies Single Mom Comments

An important statement from Mike Huckabee:

In a recent media interview about my new book, A Simple Government, I discussed the first chapter, “The Most Important Form of Government Is a Father, Mother, and Children.”

I was asked about Oscar-winner Natalie Portman’s out-of-wedlock pregnancy. Natalie is an extraordinary actor, very deserving of her recent Oscar and I am glad she will marry her baby’s father.

However, contrary to what the Hollywood media reported, I did not “slam” or “attack” Natalie Portman, nor did I criticize the hardworking single mothers in our country. My comments were about the statistical reality that most single moms are very poor, under-educated, can’t get a job, and if it weren’t for government assistance, their kids would be starving to death.

That’s the story that we’re not seeing, and it’s unfortunate that society often glorifies and glamorizes the idea of having children out of wedlock.

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Huckabee: Let Israelis Build In East Jerusalem

The Jerusalem Post reports that "during a visit to the Mount of Olives for a cornerstone-laying ceremony in a Jewish east Jerusalem neighborhood, likely US presidential candidate Mike Huckabee asserted that Israelis should be able to live "anywhere in Israel they wished to live."
"It is inconceivable in many ways that we would have to even argue and debate whether or not Israelis could live in Israel, not just in parts of Israel but anywhere in Israel they wished to live," Huckabee added. 
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