Arkansas: Mike Huckabee

Huffington Post takes note of a lightly covered speech by Mike Huckabee in which he termed "deplorable" and "shameful" the actions by Republicans who criticize every act by President Obama. He mentioned those who accused Obama of setting up a photo op by meeting the returning bodies of dead service members at a Delaware base and who criticized Michelle Obama for welcoming trick-or-treaters at the White House.

The underlying point, Huckabee concluded, was that knee-jerk criticism to the president was counter-productive to civil debate. "I hated it when people did that to George Bush," he said. "They couldn't even laugh at the man's jokes they found something wrong with everything and if we do that to Barack Obama, then shame on us, shame on us. No wonder our country is so divided when that happens."

Good for Huck.

Says here that Mike Huckabee has turned to protein shakes to trim off "25 pounds" gained due to a foot problem. Er, governor, how many feet have you eaten?

And still more bad reviews for Huckabee's whinefest with Politico that I mentioned earlier today. Are people starting to get to know the real Huckster?

Folksy musician and 2008 Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee has brought people together. From the staid conservative thought-leader National Review to snarky DC gossip site Wonkette, from right-wing blogger Dan Riehl to liberal bastion The New Republic, everyone is a little disenchanted with Huckabee:

Between his book tour, busy website and TV show, Mike Huckabee's name stays current in political attention on future elections. I think this mention in Power Line, a widely read conservative blog, might be worth a look in assessing the Republican echo chamber that's so important in future nomination battles. Huckabee still isn't sounding tough enough for Power Line's taste. Power Line lauds Huckabee's communication skills. But, reflecting on on shortcomings the blog saw in 2008, it doesn't sound like the former Arkansas governor has made a convert yet.

Susan Page of USA Today cites a recent poll that puts former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee at the top of a list of prospective GOP presidential candidates (with 40 percent saying they would "seriously consider supporting"), just edging out Mitt Romney (39 percent).  Sarah Palin came in third at 33 percent.  Of course, it's a little early for this to really mean anything.  Page says, "None of the GOP prospects has announced he or she will join the race, but all are making the sort of appearances and speeches that would keep the option open."