Move over Jeb. That 2016 GOP presidential clown car just got a little more crowded. Huckabee hasn't made it official.... yet, but he's giving up his cushy gig at Faux "news," so I'd say he's running.
Mike Huckabee Leaves Fox News, Will Make Decision On 2016 Campaign By Spring:
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will leave Fox News and announce whether he will run for the Republican presidential nomination by late spring, a statement from him said on Saturday night.
"Tonight I will do more than just say goodnight. I will say goodbye. This is the last edition of 'Huckabee' on the Fox News Channel," Huckabee's statement said, citing his looming decision on whether to enter the 2016 presidential race as the cause for the departure.
He had been hosting the political commentary show "Huckabee" on Fox News for more than six years. On speculation that he would enter the race for president, Huckabee said that because he couldn't rule out a run, he would leave Fox. By leaving the network now, Huckabee frees himself up to pursue office without conflict over his place in the media.
I won't make a decision about running until late in the spring of 2015, but the continued chatter has put Fox News into a position that is not fair to them nor is it possible for me to openly determine political and financial support to justify a race. The honorable thing to do at this point is to end my tenure here at Fox.
A Fox News spokesperson confirmed his departure to CNN. It was not clear what would happen to the slot occupied by his weekend program.
As the Washington Post noted, Fox News terminates its relationships with commentators when they launch a bid for office. A Fox News executive said the network was scrutinizing Huckabee's political activity and "evaluating his current status," CNN reported.
Huckabee has signaled that he is open to a run in recent months. The Republican "is reconnecting with activists and enlisting staff to position himself" and scouting real estate for a presidential campaign headquarters, the Washington Post reported in November. With respect to finances, Huckabee said he was in a better place to run, according to the Washington Examiner. Earlier in 2014, Huckabee contrasted himself to another expected candidate, Hillary Clinton, criticizing her track record on foreign policy, Politico reported.
Huckabee won the Iowa caucuses in 2008, but his bid for the Republican nomination failed. In 2011, he teased his audiences with an announcement in a similar fashion, but ended up saying he would not pursue the 2012 presidential nomination.
Huckabee is currently leading the field in polling of the Iowa Caucus, and is to speak at an event in the state with other leading Republicans this month.
Earlier on Saturday, Huckabee posted on Facebook that in his 8 p.m. EST show he would make a "very important announcement." Read on...
