Courtesy: "Reuters", 14 May 2011
"All the factors say 'go,' but my heart says 'no' and that's the decision that I have made," he said on his Fox News Channel television show.
"My answer is clear and firm: I will not seek the Republican nomination for president this year," Huckabee added.
A former governor of Arkansas, Huckabee had been riding high in some 2012 polls among Republicans. But he had not been raising funds or touring the country as he wrestled over whether to launch a second run for his party's nomination or stick with his Fox show, "Huckabee."
Huckabee, who unsuccessfully sought his party's presidential nomination in 2008, said he had his family's full support, promising poll numbers and evidence he could carry states beyond the South and appeal to voters beyond social conservatives.
But he said private reflection on his decision to stay out of the race gave him a "clarity and an inexplicable inner peace."
Obama, a Democrat, was far ahead of all possible Republican candidates mentioned in a Reuters/Ipsos poll this week. A number of high-profile Republicans have either declined to run or are still weighing their options.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is expected to run, as is former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who analysts say would attract the kind of evangelical, conservative voters who would have backed Huckabee.
Pawlenty said in a statement that "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."
Former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich became a candidate this week, along with a number of long-shots, including libertarian-minded Texas Representative Ron Paul.
Still on the fence are Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann.
POLLS SHOW OBAMA FORMIDABLE OPPONENT
Wednesday's Reuters/Ipsos survey showed 45 percent of Americans believed Obama would win re-election, a 1O-point rise from a poll taken before November's congressional elections.
The survey is an indication of how difficult it will be for Republicans to dislodge an incumbent president in the November 2012 election.
The field of possible Republicans challengers to Obama has not generated much enthusiasm so far, with key figures waiting to announce their candidacy.
Obama, who made history in 2008 by becoming the first African-American elected president, leads possible Republican candidates by double digits.
Obama lead Huckabee by 51 percent to 39 percent, and Romney by 51 percent to 38 percent.
The president's approval rating is at 49 percent, a 3-point increase over last month, amounting to only a modest bounce after the May 2 killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Other surveys have given Obama a slightly larger post-bin Laden boost.
Link to the poll data: here
(Editing by Peter Cooney)
....................
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WASHINGTON
(Reuters) - Republican Mike Huckabee announced on Saturday he would not seek his party's presidential nomination in 2012, adding uncertainty to the race to pick a challenger to President Barack Obama."All the factors say 'go,' but my heart says 'no' and that's the decision that I have made," he said on his Fox News Channel television show.
"My answer is clear and firm: I will not seek the Republican nomination for president this year," Huckabee added.
A former governor of Arkansas, Huckabee had been riding high in some 2012 polls among Republicans. But he had not been raising funds or touring the country as he wrestled over whether to launch a second run for his party's nomination or stick with his Fox show, "Huckabee."
Huckabee, who unsuccessfully sought his party's presidential nomination in 2008, said he had his family's full support, promising poll numbers and evidence he could carry states beyond the South and appeal to voters beyond social conservatives.
But he said private reflection on his decision to stay out of the race gave him a "clarity and an inexplicable inner peace."
Obama, a Democrat, was far ahead of all possible Republican candidates mentioned in a Reuters/Ipsos poll this week. A number of high-profile Republicans have either declined to run or are still weighing their options.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is expected to run, as is former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who analysts say would attract the kind of evangelical, conservative voters who would have backed Huckabee.
Pawlenty said in a statement that "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."
Former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich became a candidate this week, along with a number of long-shots, including libertarian-minded Texas Representative Ron Paul.
Still on the fence are Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann.
POLLS SHOW OBAMA FORMIDABLE OPPONENT
Wednesday's Reuters/Ipsos survey showed 45 percent of Americans believed Obama would win re-election, a 1O-point rise from a poll taken before November's congressional elections.
The survey is an indication of how difficult it will be for Republicans to dislodge an incumbent president in the November 2012 election.
The field of possible Republicans challengers to Obama has not generated much enthusiasm so far, with key figures waiting to announce their candidacy.
Obama, who made history in 2008 by becoming the first African-American elected president, leads possible Republican candidates by double digits.
Obama lead Huckabee by 51 percent to 39 percent, and Romney by 51 percent to 38 percent.
The president's approval rating is at 49 percent, a 3-point increase over last month, amounting to only a modest bounce after the May 2 killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Other surveys have given Obama a slightly larger post-bin Laden boost.
Link to the poll data: here
(Editing by Peter Cooney)
....................
Note: The viewpoint expressed in this article is solely that of the writer / news outlet. "FATA Awareness Initiative" Team may not agree with the opinion presented.
....................
We Hope You find the info useful. Keep visiting this blog and remember to leave your feedback / comments / suggestions / requests / corrections.
With Regards,
"FATA Awareness Initiative" Team.
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