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On his Fox News show Saturday night, Mike Huckabee dramatically announced that he would not be running in 2012. There was nothing his hour-long decision special was missing: "Saved by the Bell's" Mario Lopez. A "rock-out" with Ted Nugent. Consulting of religious signs. And a cameo by Donald Trump.
Huckabee's decision not to run was not a political or practical one, but rather a "spiritual" one. "I'm a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, and that is more important to me than any political office," he said. The past few weeks, he went on, were full of signs that he should run. But after deep, personal reflection, Huckabee said he found clarity and "an inexplicable inner peace, a peace that exceeds human understanding. All the factors say go, but my heart says no. And that's the decision I made."
Huckabee made clear that this decision had nothing to do with funding or his popularity. "Polls have consistently put me near or at the top," he said. "Concerns I had about raising the necessary funds.. were answered... That kind of scattered the notion that I was a regional candidate or only supported by social conservatives."
He furthermore dispelled rumors that his decision came about because his family was not supportive. "I don't have an issue with my family being supportive. My wife has actually encouraged me to do it," said Huckabee, despite knowing they would be subject to "brutal, savage attacks."