GOP 2012
--"Huckabee won't run in 2012," by Maggie Haberman: "Mike Huckabee opted against a run for the 2012 Republican nomination Saturday night, saying that despite all the signs saying yes, 'My heart says no.' The former Arkansas governor's decision instantly reshapes the contest, creating a wide-open field in Iowa, where Huckabee won the 2008 caucuses, and an opening for some of the second-tier hopefuls who could appeal to Huckabee's base of conservatives and evangelical Christians. Most of those candidates began the jockeying immediately, with statements praising Huckabee landing almost the moment he finally revealed his decision in the closing moments of his Fox News show, just before 9 p.m., saying he had reached it after intense prayer. 'For me, to do it apart from an inner confidence that I was undertaking it with God's full blessing is unthinkable ... I will not seek the Republican nomination for president this year.' It was one of the most-hyped recent political statements, with the least surprising outcome." http://bit.ly/lJUgmq
--Tim Pawlenty statement: "Mike Huckabee is a friend and colleague, and an important leader within the Republican Party. Mike and I agree our nation is facing big challenges and desperately needs new leadership, and I plan to work hard to earn the support of the millions of Americans who have supported him. Mary and I wish Mike and Janet all the best."
--Jon Huntsman statement: "Our country has been very fortunate to have Mike Huckabee as a leader and public servant. His commitment to this country and its core values -- life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness -- is a model to which all elected officials should aspire. It is unfortunate that we will not have his voice -- or his bass guitar -- in the presidential debate, as our party would have benefited from his involvement. Yet I'm confident that he will continue to be a positive force in the national conversation no matter his future endeavors and I look forward to his continued friendship."
--Newt Gingrich statement: "Had Governor Huckabee decided to run, there is no question he would have been a frontrunner in the 2012 campaign for president. He has achieved that prominence without a campaign simply based on his personal appeal and the attractiveness of his views and his character. His statement tonight emphasized the spiritual dimension of his life and his decision process. It is a wonderful example for all Americans of someone trying to do the right thing. Governor Huckabee will remain a major force for conservatism and he will play a major role in shaping America's future. Callista and I wish him and his family a wonderful, happy, and successful future."
--Rick Santorum tweet: "So impressed w @mikehuckabee by putting the role of prayerfully following God's will as the most important factor, because it is."
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--Tim Pawlenty statement: "Mike Huckabee is a friend and colleague, and an important leader within the Republican Party. Mike and I agree our nation is facing big challenges and desperately needs new leadership, and I plan to work hard to earn the support of the millions of Americans who have supported him. Mary and I wish Mike and Janet all the best."
--Jon Huntsman statement: "Our country has been very fortunate to have Mike Huckabee as a leader and public servant. His commitment to this country and its core values -- life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness -- is a model to which all elected officials should aspire. It is unfortunate that we will not have his voice -- or his bass guitar -- in the presidential debate, as our party would have benefited from his involvement. Yet I'm confident that he will continue to be a positive force in the national conversation no matter his future endeavors and I look forward to his continued friendship."
--Newt Gingrich statement: "Had Governor Huckabee decided to run, there is no question he would have been a frontrunner in the 2012 campaign for president. He has achieved that prominence without a campaign simply based on his personal appeal and the attractiveness of his views and his character. His statement tonight emphasized the spiritual dimension of his life and his decision process. It is a wonderful example for all Americans of someone trying to do the right thing. Governor Huckabee will remain a major force for conservatism and he will play a major role in shaping America's future. Callista and I wish him and his family a wonderful, happy, and successful future."
--Rick Santorum tweet: "So impressed w @mikehuckabee by putting the role of prayerfully following God's will as the most important factor, because it is."
Go to POLITICO Playbook Now >> http://www.politico.com/playbook
I don't know whether his income was as much as it is now, but he did the right thing choosing not to run.