Mike Huckabee, 2016: He's in...
With Huckabee's entrance into the field of 2016 Republican candidates, he becomes one of just four GOP figures who have taken concrete steps to mount a campaign. Huckabee joins Jeb Bush in revealing his intention to form an exploratory committee. Reports have indicated that former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina is staffing up ahead of a likely campaign. Pediatric neurosurgeon Ben Carson disclosed his intention to announce his decision on whether to run in the spring, and figures close to him have indicated to reporters that he is likely to run.
It's not going out too far on a limb here to say that, of the many competent and capable 2016 prospects in the Republican Party, the above field of presidential aspirants is underwhelming. Bush seems to be running for the GOP nomination by applying the Huntsman model to the project; displaying contempt for the concerns of the party's base while simultaneously seeking their support. Fiorina has never held elected office, and Carson has never even run a campaign. And Huckabee, while an accomplished governor who can work a room like nobody else, has a penchant for making impolitic comments that would doom him in the general election.
Now consider the talent on the GOP bench of potential 2016 prospects who have not yet committed to a bid. From governors like Louisiana's Bobby Jindal, to Indiana's Mike Pence, to Wisconsin's Scott Walker, to Texas's Rick Perry, to New Jersey's Chris Christie and Senators including Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Rand Paul (R-KY) – not to mention the former Republican vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) – the abundances of aptitude and vigor in this cast should make any Democrat nervous...Also read:
Mike Huckabee Is a Poison Pill for Conservatives
Get ready for another anti-Boehner fizzle on Tuesday
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