Former Baptist minister Huckabee thanks God for poll surge

A rock ’n’ roll guitar-playing former pastor from the south, Mike Huckabee’s homey, grassroots appeal and unapologetic confidence in his views could serve him well on the road to the White House.

The 52-year-old former Arkansas governor has moved to the front of the Republican presidential hopefuls in the run-up to the Iowa caucuses, where his humble, down-to-earth approach has been received well in the state’s sitting rooms, diners and community halls.

Pro-gun rights, anti-abortion and an outspoken critic of stem cell research and gay marriage, he dismisses evolutionary theory in favour of creationism, which he thinks ought to be taught in schools.

He says his Baptist faith “doesn’t influence my decisions, it drives them” and has claimed his surprise surge in the polls was the result of divine intervention.

“There’s only one explanation for it, and it’s not a human one,” he said.

“It’s the same power that helped a little boy with two fish and five loaves feed a crowd of five thousand people… There literally are thousands of people across the country who are praying that a little will become much, and it has, and it defies all explanation.”

He says God has found ways to point him where he is today and puts his religion at the forefront of his campaign.

In a campaign TV advert running in Iowa, he says his faith “really defines me” and, as the words “Christian leader” flash on the screen in capital letters, he adds: “I don’t have to wake up every day wondering: ’What do I need to believe?”’

But his modest means – he has spent less than $400,000 (€272,000) in Iowa compared to Republican rival Mitt Romney’s $7m (€4.75m) - and understaffed campaign have led to some problems.

When questioned about the US National Intelligence Estimate which revealed Iran had halted its nuclear programme, Mr Huckabee shook his head and admitted he had not even heard of it. He blamed 20-hour campaign days.

On the issues, he says securing America’s borders, with a nine-point plan for immigration enforcement, is his number one priority but critics have said he is soft on the matter.

Born in Hope, Arkansas, on August 24, 1955, Michael Dale Huckabee comes from the same small town as former President Bill Clinton and they both governed the state for more than a decade.

But the comparisons between the two men end there and Mr Huckabee represents the most socially conservative wing of the party.

Mr Huckabee grew up with his parents, fireman Dorsey and office manager Mae, and older sister Patricia Harris in Hope before marrying Janet McCain in 1974.

They have three grown-up children, John Mark, David, and Sarah, but his wife has kept a low profile on the campaign trail.

A former Baptist minister who used to have his sermons broadcast over his own Christian radio and TV station, he spent his two terms as Arkansas governor increasing spending and raising taxes on gas and cigarettes.

But as a staunch advocate of marriage, he scrapped marriage tax and doubled the child care tax credit while getting a reputation for being “thin skinned”.

He was self-conscious about his modest means, defensive when questioned about accepting allegedly improper gifts from friends – as governor he was sanctioned or fined five times by the Arkansas Ethics Commission – and reacted angrily at negative press.

Diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes in 2003 when he was morbidly obese, Mr Huckabee embarked upon a vigorous exercise campaign, eventually shedding 100 pounds as he became a leading advocate for a healthy life and wrote a book, Quit Digging Your Grave With a Knife and Fork, in 2005.

He enjoys music, plays bass in a rock ’n’ roll band called Capitol Offence and lists the Beatles among his favourite artists.

He told showbiz magazine People that when jogging: “I need a hard-driving guitar with a heavy beat to keep me in rhythm and in step”.

Rising early, often at 4.30am, he lives with his wife and three dogs – Jet, Sonic and Toby – in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where he likes to tell jokes and impersonate celebrities.

But his hard-line views appeal to those voters put off by national front-runner Rudy Giuliani’s more liberal social outlook.

And on Iraq, where he has supported President George Bush’s stance, he says: “Iraq is a battle in our generational, ideological war on terror.

“Our troops are giving their all to provide a window of opportunity for the Iraq government to succeed, while the Democrats are running for the exit doors.”