Huckabee already gearing up for 2012?

In an Esquire profile, the former Arkansas governor criticizes Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney and compares homosexuality to obesity.

Published January 13, 2009 8:00PM (EST)

Sarah Palin isn't the only one talking to Esquire. In a new profile in the magazine, Mike Huckabee appears to be readying himself for a Republican presidential primary fight in 2012. The former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate (and current Fox News talk show host) offered some choice words about two potential rivals.

On Palin:

Now I must say I did not think that either the Charlie Gibson interview or the Katie Couric interviews were unfair. In fact, if anything, Katie Couric was extraordinarily gentle, even helpful. [Palin] just... I don't know what happened. I can't explain it. It was not a good interview. I'm being charitable.

On Mitt Romney:

[Romney] was usually accompanied by a phalanx of eager young aides who bullied their way through events as if they were all carrying badges, guns, and the authority to move the "little people" out of Mitt's way. It did not go unnoticed by other candidates or by the "little people" who spoke with open contempt of the treatment.

For those wondering if Huckabee's widely watched interview with Jon Stewart had led to a softening of his stance on homosexuality, Esquire's A.J. Jacobs writes, "Huckabee says he doesn't know if homosexuality is inborn, but he believes you can control the behavior. He compares homosexuality to obesity or alcoholism: 'Some people have a predisposition to alcoholism. Does that mean they're not responsible for getting drunk? No.'"


By Vincent Rossmeier

Vincent Rossmeier is an editorial assistant at Salon.

MORE FROM Vincent Rossmeier


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Mike Huckabee Mitt Romney Sarah Palin War Room