Mike Huckabee Announces That He's Not Running For President

Considering how much he was leading in polls and what with his charismatic, Mr. Rogers demeanor in general, this decision makes no sense to me. What with the current field of GOP candidates I'd say too that Barry's chances for reelection just got brighter:

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee announced Saturday that he will not seek the GOP nomination for president in 2012.


Huckabee ended speculation that he would run for president during his weekly Fox News Channel show saying, "All the factors say go, but my heart says no. And that’s the decision that I have made."


Indications had been mounting recently that the 2008 presidential candidate would not pursue a repeat bid for the Republican nomination for president. He switched his residency to Florida, where he and his wife have built a home, he co-founded a company with the mission of teaching history lessons to children, and key 2008 aides moved to other campaign teams, including those of former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann.


Huckabee also failed to form a presidential exploratory committee, a critical first step in building a presidential campaign.


And with a successful television show, book deals and lucrative paid appearances, another presidential bid may be less desirable for the television and radio host - even though he’s topped recent major national polls as the favored 2012 GOP candidate.


Though Huckabee asserted as recently as late April that his supporters should not make decisions based on his indecision, Saturday’s announcement settles the question once and for all.


And he admitted, "The past few months have been a time of deep, personal reflection."


"I don’t have an issue with my family being supportive. My wife actually has encouraged me to do it despite knowing full well that it would subject her and the rest of the family to some savage and brutal personal attacks," Huckabee said.


"I don’t expect everyone to understand this...For me, the discussion and decision is ultimately not a political one, it’s not a financial one, it’s not even a practical one, it’s a spiritual one."