One-On-One With Mike Huckabee

Katie Couric Interviews Huckabee And His Rivals On The Eve Of Super Tuesday

(CBS)  On the eve of the country's biggest presidential primary contest, Super Tuesday, the leading presidential candidates spoke with CBS News anchor Katie Couric about what they have yet to overcome. That ranged from assumptions about temperament to lagging support in key states.

The following is the full transcript of Couric's full discussion with former Republican Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

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KATIE COURIC: Gov. Huckabee, tomorrow is a big day in American politics, Super Tuesday, the closest thing this country has to a national primary. So let me give you the opportunity to tell me what you perceive as your opponents' biggest weaknesses.

MIKE HUCKABEE: Oh, Katie, you know, I think, rather than talk about their weaknesses, there's some differences. And the main difference is I bring more executive experience. And that's what the presidency is all about. It's about making tough decisions and doing it understanding there's nobody else to turn to other than your own conscience … and hopefully the collective experience of having to make tough decisions.

Some of my opponents certainly don't have executive experience to the level that I do. In fact, no one does to the level of ten and a half years of running a state. But I think also it's the clarity of conviction that I bring to this race that I hope will motivate voters to stand with me. They know that what I'm saying today and what I believe today is what I have stood for my whole life. And I think people want a President they can trust, somebody they know, believes deeply in the things that will make America great.

COURIC: So you don't think Mitt Romney has executive experience as working in the business world and governor of Massachusetts?

HUCKABEE: He's certainly got business experience, but government's not a business. It's a different kind of enterprise. You can't order people to do things. You have to motivate them to do it. And particularly if you come from a background, as I did, in a state where it's overwhelmingly Democrat and the legislature more so than he had in even Massachusetts, you have to be able to lead the people.

So the second most important job of being president, other than being commander-in-chief is to be the communicator-in-chief, to be able to sell your ideas. And I think if you look at the fact with a very limited amount of money we've sold our ideas to the American people to be equal with Mitt Romney, who has spent probably 12, 15 times what we did to sell his ideas to the American people.

COURIC: So you believe the biggest weaknesses in your opponent - or you believe the biggest weakness in your opponents is the lack of executive experience?

HUCKABEE: Well, I think in Mr. Romney's case, the biggest weakness is that he's not been consistent on any view, whether it's the Human Life Amendment, whether it's on the Second Amendment, whether it's on traditional marriage, whether it's on taxes, whether it's on just about any issue. He's taken multiple sides.

And that confuses. And I think it also troubles people because - are these positions that he's now holding positions of convenience or conviction? That matters to people. Senator McCain's a great guy. But he's been in the Congress. I think he's had plenty of opportunity to fix some of the problems. Do you want someone in Washington to try to change Washington?

COURIC: What do you need to do tomorrow to keep your candidacy alive?

HUCKABEE: Well, we've gotta be competitive in the South as well as some of these other states. And I think we will be. But I don't see any candidate coming out of tomorrow with 1,191 delegates, which is what's required to secure the nomination. So as long as, you know, there's still a game on, we plan to be in it.

A lot of people counted the New York Giants out and turned out that a lot of folks were gettin' their Boston celebrations ready just a little bit too early. I think for folks who think this primary's over, they need … to be a little careful and cautious about making too many celebration plans for tomorrow night.

COURIC: Having said that, John McCain right now has a pretty significant lead in the polls.

HUCKABEE: You know, he does. And, in fact, polls have fluctuated all over the place. I think the one thing we can probably be assured of is that they're not all that reliable or accurate because they've changed almost daily. We still believe that tomorrow there are a lot of people who are gonna wake up and say, "You know, I think Mike Huckabee has the kind of stamina, he's got the background, the experience, and most of all, he's got clarity in his convictions. There's some authenticity. We want a President that we can trust. We want someone who, when he looks at us and talks to us, we know that he actually believes what he's saying and that he's gonna say it clearly to us and articulate for our country as well as with our country."

COURIC: Finally, Gov. Huckabee, Mitt Romney has suggested you're leaching conservative voters away from him and it might be time for you to step down … and make this a two-man race. What's your reaction to that?

HUCKABEE: Well, I think Mr. Romney is kind of guilty of what we call voter suppression, tryin' to get people to not vote for me rather than to vote for him. It's really unfortunate. I'll tell you the thing that's most troubling.

It's to me arrogant and presumptuous for him to assume that the people who are voting for me would automatically go vote for him. I think he's wrong about that. I think people who vote for me know that they are voting for a person who's consistent on his views and not all over the board and a person who knows what he believes.

You know, if anything, it'd be just as fair for me to say Mr. Romney is taking votes from me. I don't know why people haven't asked him if he's got the audacity to say, "Why don't you step aside and let me have those votes?" Wouldn't it be just as fair for me to say, "Hey, Mr. Romney, why don't you step aside and I'll take those votes from you?"

My enterprise has obviously been more efficient because for … a fraction of the amount of money that you've spent we have about the same market share. I think for that reason anybody with a Harvard MBA ought to know that his business is having a hard time sellin' the soap.

COURIC: Gov. Huckabee, some people think you're really vying for the VP spot. Does that interest you?

HUCKABEE: No. You know, nobody goes out here and works as hard as I have for the past 13 months just to get the second-place prize. So I'm competing for one thing. If people look at my Web site, MikeHuckabee.com, there's not a single thing on there that says, "By the way, Vice-president would be a nice consolation prize."

We're goin' for the gold. We're shootin' for the top. I've always started at the bottom. It's a position I'm familiar with. Wouldn't know how to start from the top. I know how to end at the top.

COURIC: Would you turn down the silver?

HUCKABEE: Wouldn't even talk about it right now because goin' into tomorrow. I still believe we really do have a chance to pull this off.

COURIC: Governor Mike Huckabee, governor, thanks so much.

HUCKABEE: Thank you, Katie.

[callenfallen]

Super Tuesday States please vote, go Mike Huckabee.

[SabreHawk]

Mitt Romney is arrogant. How dare he say someone should drop out. I guess when you are rich you think you can do and say anything, and the "lowly" people are suppose to do whatever you say. Time for this silver spoon dandy to find out everyone knows he (Romney) is a liberal and voting for him would be just like voting for Clinton. Mitt, stop thinking you are better than everyone else.

[homelessman1-2009]

How blatant the media blackout is on Ron Paul. Katie Couric interviews the 3 Republican candidates? Why won''t the media give Ron Paul his due. Ron Paul finishes second in Maine and Nevada and the media says NOTHING! He has not dropped out of the race. Why not let the voters know about all the choices still available to them on Super Tuesday. The media needs to stop favoring the liberals and neo-cons and cover ALL the candidates. This is one American who is not fooled.

[devilstowerw]

I vote my consious, I vote what I believe is right. I don''t follow the polls and change my vote to who''s ahead. I like Mike Huckabee and will vote for Huckabee regardless. How dare anyone say my vote is a waste. It is my vote and a precious one at that and for Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity and other talking heads to say I am un-Republican or un-patriotic for voting for Huckabee is down right McCarthyism.

[giantrobot2]

*** ALERT ****

Tony Perkins and James Dobson of FRC (Family Research Council) value voters guide that I just received today clearly shows they are supporting Mike Huckabee for President.

Out of all the questions they asked of Republicans and Democrates, Mike Huckabee scored 100% in all questions.

It also shows that Mitt Romney''''s liberal positions are still showing through him in the questioning.

It says Mitt Romney supports human cloning and embryo destruction. Plus it says Mitt Romney would vote for passage to water down the Federal Marriage act of 1996.

Plus it says Mitt Romney will vote to allow passage of law that allows the Government to take away private land of it''''s citizens whenever it wants to.

Do Republicans want a liberal like Mitt Romney running our party or a true conservative like Mike Huckabee running our party?

It''''s clear that Tony Perkins and Dr. James Dobson are supporting conservative Mike Huckabee in the value votes results I just received today.

If you are a conservative who has admired what Tony Perkins and Dr. James Dobson has down for the nation, please go vote tomorrow for Mike Huckabee who they are clearly showing they are supporting.

[schief4]

I am voting for Mike Huckabee because he has proven he can run a government, having done so longer than any other candidate. He can relate to every level of society and their problems and has an inside understanding of religion and how it can drive the faithful and the fanatic - without talking down to either. A friend encouraged me to find out more about Gov. Huckabee by visiting his website, and I will encourage others to do the same. Don''t vote until you take a deeper look at what he has to offer America. While the others talk about changing Washington, Huckabee has the communication skills and the ideas to do it.

Achieving energy independence in 10 years, abolishing the IRS, rebuilding our infrastructure, having the border secure within 18 months. I want someone who has bold ideas and the ability to make them reality. Governor Huckabee did it in Arkansas, a democratic-dominant state. By working with the state''s representatives he improved its schools, its infrastructure, and its economy. I want to see him do the same for America. Check out his website. You won''t be sorry.

[marinepatriot]

I HAVE SERVED MY COUNTRY FOR OVER (13) YEARS IN THE MILITARY. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO WATCH (1) VIDEO FOR ME. (THIS IS NOT A R. PAUL VIDEO)

THIS VIDEO HELPS MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN ROMNEY, MCCAIN AND HUCKABEE.

I SERVED YOU AND MY COUNTRY, WILL YOU TAKE JUST 1 MINUTE TO HEAR ME?

HERE IS MY QUICK VIDEO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnU3G-HCf9w

SEMPER FI
Dan Campbell

[mamacon]

I think it''s hilarious that the conservative talk show hosts (Rush, Ann, Laura, Hugh Hewitt) are saying that Huckabee should drop out of the race because he will take votes away from Romney. Yet, for the past 3 months they''ve been complaining that Huckabee is a liberal. Now, if he is such a liberal, wouldn''t he be taking votes away from McCain? Wouldn''t that be a good thing for Romney?

It just goes to show that Huckabee is a true conservative that stands by his convictions and has a consistent record on matters that are important to Republicans: pro-life, pro-family, secure borders, etc...

[theriddles]

How can you say that voting for Romney would help conservatism? Anyone who looks at his record knows he''s not conservative.

[Travis212]

Why doesn''t Huckabee ever criticize McCain? If Romney dropped out, what would Huckabee do to take down McCain? Right now he acts like McCain''s puppy dog.

[WakeWashington]

The former Arkansas governor earned his Huckster nickname as well as a great YouTube moment of shame when he challenged Romney%u2019s support of the troop surge during ABC%u2019s New Hampshire debate.

During the debate he attacked Romney with this boldfaced lie: %u201CI supported the surge and you didn%u2019t.%u201D

The YouTube clip shows exactly how dishonest Huckabee is. Two weeks after Romney had issued a January 2007 press release supporting the surge; the Huckster does an interview deliberately distinguishing himself from other candidates by withholding support for the surge.

In the Jan. 24, 2007 interview on MSNBC%u2019s %u201CLive,%u201D Norah O%u2019Donnell asks:

%u201CWe have a Rudy Giuliani, who supports the president%u2019s plan on Iraq. We have Governor Mitt Romney, who also supports a troop surge. How are you different from any of those candidates?%u201D

Huckabee: %u201CWell, I%u2019m not sure that I support the troop surge, if that surge has to come from our Guard and Reserve troops, which have really been overly stretched.%u201D

[jacksmack8]

b if that surge has to come from our Guard and Reserve troops, which have really been overly stretched /b

He states that he would not support a surge that primarily pulls from the National Guard and reserve.
...Get some fresh troops in there!

[truthword08]

PLEASE READ THIS:

The American Family Association has released an excellent voter''s guide that you should read carefully before you vote in the Super Tuesday primaries. I have included a link to the guide, so in this article I will only summarize some of the most important information.

In this guide the American Family Association lists eight issues on which the answer of any real Conservative should be a resounding "Yes!" Not surprisingly, none of the three Democrat candidates answered yes to a single one. I was surprised to find that only one Republican candidate had a perfect record. Mike Huckabee was for each of these important issues. More important, he has always been in favor of them. Not one of these was a new position for him.

Some of the issues are proposed legislation; some are proposed Constitutional amendments; some are simply moral positions, such as the refusal to participate in "Gay Pride" celebrations. (Both Romney and Giuliani have participated in these disgusting events "celebrating" homosexuality.)

The first test is whether a candidate supports a national Human Life Amendment. All the candidates claim to be pro-life, but only Mike Huckabee passed this test.

Here is the link to the chart:


http://www.afa.net/pdfs/08vg.pdf

TW08

If you want a true conservative candidate who HAS NOT flip flopped on the issues and become a recent "convert" to conservatism like Mitt Romney, then Mike Huckabee is your man!

[marinepatriot]

I HAVE SERVED MY COUNTRY FOR OVER (13) YEARS IN THE MILITARY. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO WATCH (1) VIDEO FOR ME. (THIS IS NOT A R. PAUL VIDEO)

THIS VIDEO HELPS MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN ROMNEY, MCCAIN AND HUCKABEE.

I SERVED YOU AND MY COUNTRY, WILL YOU TAKE JUST 1 MINUTE TO HEAR ME?

HERE IS MY QUICK VIDEO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnU3G-HCf9w

SEMPER FI
Dan Campbell

[sleepdecay]

HuckaBS that is all this guy is.

[timoteotk]

Mamacon Nailed it - SO TRUE- she wrote:

I think it''''s hilarious that the conservative talk show hosts (Rush, Ann, Laura, Hugh Hewitt) are saying that Huckabee should drop out of the race because he will take votes away from Romney. Yet, for the past 3 months they''''ve been complaining that Huckabee is a liberal. Now, if he is such a liberal, wouldn''''t he be taking votes away from McCain? Wouldn''''t that be a good thing for Romney?

Mamacon you rule!! tell it like it is!!!

[timoteotk]

mamacon wrote:
I think it''''s hilarious that the conservative talk show hosts (Rush, Ann, Laura, Hugh Hewitt) are saying that Huckabee should drop out of the race because he will take votes away from Romney. Yet, for the past 3 months they''''ve been complaining that Huckabee is a liberal. Now, if he is such a liberal, wouldn''''t he be taking votes away from McCain? Wouldn''''t that be a good thing for Romney?

Mamacon this is SO TRUE!!!!!! YOU RULE!!! I loved that!!!

[timoteotk]

Everyone say goodbye Mittslickster-today is the day that Hugh hewit''s mouth will be shut---mixed up mitt will be taken down by Saul(mcCain) and the little giant killer from Arkansas - the David of this story- who I think - at the end of the day will have more delegates than Romney.

[candide777]

Jesus: "Mr. Huckabee, how many loaves of bread and fishes have ye that I may feed the people?"

Huckabee: "Will this flag pole fit up your arse? Get a job, you liberal freak!"

[quantitave2]

Huckabee--a really, nice guy. Nice philosophical things to say. Reminds me a lot of Jimmy Carter. We all know what a Godsend he was to the country.

[ivote-2009]

Governor Mike Huckabee is the best candidate running! He has won Iowa, he has won West Virginia, he is leading Tennessee and Alabama and tied for 1st with McCain in Georgia according to the polls.

He has the most exectutive experience of anyone running - Republican or Democrat
He was re-elected Governor of Arkansas until his term limits expired
He was named ONE OF THE BEST FIVE GOVERNORS IN AMERICA by Time Magazine
He is for real and he is AUTHENTIC - WE TRUST MIKE HUCKABEE!!!

[byeneocons]

The problem with Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney is that both of them refused to denounce anything about the past eight years of government elected by the so called Christian vote. The rest of the country does not want an extension of the Bush years or the Bush voter base. Therefore, McCain.

[byeneocons]

TruthWord: People don''t need a right wing nutjob organization like the AFA or another nutjob Rush Limbaugh to tell them who to vote for. They can make up their own minds. Save your fingers.

[news4all]

Huckabee said, "we want a president we can trust"...

Consider McCain''s horrible temperament and manipulative, dishonest ways and Huckabee''s goofiness, bigoted and self-righteousness... Then consider how they both manipulated the vote in West Virginia. How can one trust either choice?

Romney has admitted he''s not perfect, but he has consistently changed for the better. Even though Romney has been lied about, dragged through the mud of religious bigotry, labeled as a flip-flopper by hypocrites (McCain and Romney) and has truly had to deal with a lot of dirty tricks, he still sees the positive side of things and keeps his cool.

Romney is the most qualified for the presidency based on his education, experience, wisdom and integrity alone, but he also has something the other Republican candidates lack... Romney has decorum!
How can any Republican vote against Romney? He would make such a great president!