Mike Huckabee is more tepid than ever on a 2012 run, calling it "less likely" he'll run again for President.
FOX HOST CHRIS WALLACE: Governor Huckabee, I want to show you a couple of polls I suspect you already know about, and let's put them up on the screen.
70% of Iowa Republicans view you favorably. That is more than any of the other mentioned likely Presidential possibilities for 2012 [note: Palin is at60%68%; Romney at 58%].
And a national poll of Republicans last month had you in first place [Rasmussen: Huck 29%, Romney 24%, Palin 18%, NEwt 14%].
So Governor Huckabee, why wouldn't you run for President in 2012?
HUCKABEE: Well, there are obviously a lot of smart people in Iowa and the rest of the country, I acknowledge that.
But the reason I wouldn't is that this Fox gig I've got right now is really, really wonderful, and you know it's easy to say "Oh Gee, don't you just want to jump back in it?" But jumping back in the pool, you gotta make sure there's some water in it.
And there's a whole different deal of some folks take a poll, and whether there's the financial support.
Howard [Dean] and I have both been there, done that. It's a wonderful experience, but I am nowhere near ready to say that's what I want to do three years from now.
WALLACE: So let me ask you a silly question three years out. What would you say -- at this moment -- are the chance that you will run?
50-50? Better, worse, what?
HUCKABEE: It's hard to say. A lot of it depends on how the elections turn out next year, and whether Roger Ailes continues to like my show on the weekends, and if all those things factor in, it's less likely than more likely just because I would have to see that the Republicans would be willing to unite behind me.
The last time out, my biggest challenge was with the establishment Republicans who just never showed their support, and while I think a person can possibly win without them, the Republican party needs to unite if it's going to win in 2012.
And anyone who thinks Barack Obama is an easy mark, just remember: Bill Clinton was labeled politically dead and came back to win a resounding reelection in 1996.
Even though he's showed true ambivalence recently, the timing of his statement might not be coincidental -- yesterday, he ended his book tour. Obviously, Presidential speculation can help fuel buzz around a tour.
But it's hard to imagine how Huck could turn down a run if he continues to lead in polls. After all, even Cincinnatus answered the people's call and took the reins, at one point.
