Marriage: Huckabee opposes marriage equality and has suggested judges who rule in favor of it should be impeached.

Discrimination: Huckabee has argued against local ordinances that would protect LGBT Americans from discrimination.

Executive Order: Unclear

Conversion Therapy: Huckabee has supported dangerous “conversion therapy” that coerces minors into ‘treatment’ that can lead to depression and suicide.

Hateful Rhetoric: In opposing marriage equality, Huckabee said in 2010, “We can get into the ick factor, but the fact is two men in a relationship, two women in a relationship, biologically, that doesn’t work the same.”

Adoption: Huckabee opposed allowing gay and transgender Americans to adopt children, because “children aren’t puppies.”

Anti-bullying: Unclear

Huckabee’s Notable Quotes on LGBT Equality

Huckabee: “We can get into the ick factor, but the fact is two men in a relationship, two women in a relationship, biologically, that doesn’t work…” In a 2010 profile in the New Yorker: “‘I do believe that God created male and female and intended for marriage to be the relationship of the two opposite sexes,’ [Huckabee] said. ‘Male and female are biologically compatible to have a relationship. We can get into the ick factor, but the fact is two men in a relationship, two women in a relationship, biologically, that doesn’t work the same.’” [New Yorker, 6/28/2010]

Huckabee: “In Our Lifetimes, We’ve Seen Our Country Go…From Barney Fife to Barney Frank.” According to the New Republic, “Addressing Iowa's Christian Alliance last month, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister and GOP presidential aspirant, used some artful, offensive language to rile up his conservative Christian followers: ‘In our lifetimes, we've seen our country go from 'Leave It to Beaver' to 'Beavis and Butt-head,' from Barney Fife to Barney Frank, from 'Father Knows Best' to television shows where father knows nothing.’” [New Republic, The Plank, 4/3/2006]

Huckabee on the Issues

• Marriage Equality: Opposed

• Protecting LGBT Americans from Discrimination: Opposed

• President Obama’s Executive Orders: TBD

• Ban Harmful “Conversion Therapy:” Opposed

• LGBT Adoption: Opposed
• Anti-bullying: TBD

Huckabee Said No Matter What Supreme Court Decides, “I May Be Lonely, I May Be The Only One, But I’m Going To Stand Absolutely Faithful To The Issue Of Marriage.” According to Talking Points Memo, in an interview with Hugh Hewitt: “And no matter what the Supreme Court decides, Huckabee said he'll always stand for ‘biblical’ marriage. ‘I may be lonely, I may be the only one, but I’m going to stand absolutely faithful to the issue of marriage not because it’s a politically expedient thing to do, because it isn’t. I’m going to do it because I believe it is the right position, it’s the biblical position, it’s the historical position,’ he said.” [Talking Points Memo, 1/21/2015]

Huckabee Said Supreme Court Decision Won’t Make Marriage Equality The Law Of The Land Because The Legislature Would Still Have To Enact Legislation. According to Talking Points Memo: “Former Arkansas governor and potential Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee on Tuesday said that if the Supreme Court rules in favor of same-sex marriage, states don't necessarily need to begin issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. Huckabee told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that he was "angry" with the "notion of judicial supremacy.’ ‘If the courts make a decision, I hear governors and even some aspirants to the presidency say well, that's settled, and it’s the law of the land,’ he said. ‘No, it isn't the law of the land. Constitutionally, the courts cannot make a law. They can interpret one. And then the legislature has to create enabling legislation, and the executive has to sign it, and has to enforce it.’ According to Huckabee, the legislative branch would need to draw up legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. ‘This idea that a judge makes a ruling on Friday afternoon, and Saturday morning same-sex marriage licenses are being given out, that’s utter nonsense, because there’s not been any agreement with the other two branches of government,’ he said.” [Talking Points Memo, 1/21/2015]

Huckabee Said If Court Rules In Favor Of Same-Sex Marriage, “Who’s To Stop” A Person From Saying ‘Well, I’d Like To Marry Two Women, Or I’d Like To Marry Two Men For A Woman”? According to Talking Points Memo, in a radio interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt: “The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to decide whether state bans on same-sex marriage violate equal protection guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. If the court rules that the state bans are unconstitutional, states would no longer be able to keep clerks from issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. However, Huckabee said he was worried such a ruling would lead to polygamy. ‘I think there’s going to be immediate cases filed where a person will say, 'Well, I’d like to marry two women, or I’d like to marry two men for a woman,'’ he said. ‘And who’s to stop that?’” [Talking Points Memo, 1/21/2015]

Huckabee: “Same-Sex Marriage Is Newer Than Google And The iPod.” In a Facebook post, Mike Huckabee said, “Same-sex marriage is newer than Google and the iPod, and the first nation to ever codify didn’t do so until the year 2000. I’m told that I need to get on the right side of history and support the marriage of two people of the same gender. I respectfully believe I am on the right side of history, because the history is pretty long on marriage between a man and a woman; not so much for other versions.” [Facebook, Mike Huckabee, 6/13/2014]

Huckabee: “Despite The Frothing Of Advocates To The Contrary, I Am Neither A Homophobe Nor A Hater.” In a Facebook post, Mike Huckabee said, “Despite the frothing of the advocates to the contrary, I’m neither a homophobe nor a hater. I am simple enough to believe that a marriage of one man and one woman not only is the only biological combination capable of creating the next generation, but in the context of a monogamous and committed relationship, it’s the best context for children to learn how to replace their parents.” [Facebook, Mike Huckabee, 6/13/2014]

Huckabee:“If We [Legalize Same-Sex Marriage] To Accommodate How People Feel And What They Wish To Do Because Of Their Mutual Consent” We Should Legalize Polygamy, Bigamy, Prostitution, And Assisted Suicide. In a Facebook post, Mike Huckabee wrote, “If we are determined to change the definition of marriage to accommodate how people feel and what they wish to do because of their mutual consent, then we should immediately release those incarcerated for practicing polygamy or bigamy, and frankly, let’s make all consensual adult behaviors legal, whether prostitution, assisted suicide, or even drinking 16 ounce sodas in New York City.” [Facebook, Mike Huckabee, 6/13/2014]

Huckabee Said Same-Sex Marriage “Upended The Very Foundation Which Is The Essence Of How A Civilization Survives. So The Soul Of America Is In Real Trouble.” During a tour of Europe for Evangelical leaders, Huckabee said, “And the foundation of our society and culture, marriage, not only by which we produce the next generation but it is the entity through which God has chosen for us to create the next generation and train them to be our replacements, and when we tinker with its definition and we decide that it can mean anything we wish for it to mean and that rather than to take a biblical perspective we will take a very human one and we will base marriage on human experience and desire as opposed to biblical standard, then I fear that we will pay the consequences for having upended the very foundation which is the essence of how a civilization survives. So the soul of America is in real trouble.” [The Advocate, 11/26/2014]

Huckabee Said Legalization Of Same-Sex Marriage Means “We’re Now Even Seeing Television Commercials Portraying Same-Sex Couples.” According to Salon, Huckabee told Concerned Women for America (CWA) Head Penny Nance, “The very thing that many people and I know CWA was a part of this, saying, this is why the legalization of same-sex marriage is going to be a much bigger issue than just saying we let people love whoever they want to love, that’s not the issue. Will it force businesses — of course everyone will say, oh no people still have their rights, but they don’t. And every fear that people had has in fact come true, that this is being forced in textbooks on how marriage is depicted, we’re now even seeing television commercials portraying same-sex couples, that’s something I guess I didn’t expect to see anytime soon.” [Salon, 6/12/2013]

Huckabee: “The Claim That Same-Sex Marriage Is Destroying Society Is Actually Greatly Overstated.” According to US News and World Report, in Huckabee’s book “God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy”, Huckabee says, “‘The claim that same-sex marriage is destroying society is actually greatly overstated.’ Yes, that is a statement from Huckabee, the longtime foe of gay marriage who has threatened to leave the Republican Party if it abandons its opposition to it. He devotes an entire chapter to same-sex nuptials, laying out his Biblical-based rationale for his position as well as raising several hypothetical scenarios about the future of the institution of marriage. But he appears to pour cold water on the oft-cited conservative argument that allowing gay marriage would damage heterosexual unions. ‘Marriage as an institution is not so much threatened by same-sex couples as it is by heterosexuals' increasing indifference to it.’” [US News and World Report, 1/8/2015]

• Huckabee Said, “We Simply Don’t Have Enough Reliable Accumulated Data To Be Able To Say” What Harms Of Same-Sex Marriage Could Be. According to US News and World Report, in Huckabee’s book “God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy”, “Huckabee still fears the slide toward marriage equality is devaluing the entire tradition, but he also concedes that the true impact of gay marriage is unknown. ‘When advocates of same-sex marriage say, 'What's the harm?' the honest reply is that at this point, we simply don't have enough reliable accumulated data to be able to say’ [Huckabee says].” [US News and World Report, 1/8/2015]

Huckabee Said He Was “Utterly Disgusted” With Republican Governors Who Upheld Court Decisions Overturning Same-Sex Marriage Bans, Says “Grow A Spine.” According to Raw Story: “Fox News host Mike Huckabee lashed out at the Republican Party over the weekend for essentially conceding that the issue of same-sex marriage had been decided…. ‘I’m utterly disgusted with fellow Republicans who want to walk away from the issue of judicial supremacy just because it’s politically volatile,’ [Huckabee] concluded. ‘Here is my advice: Grow a spine, show a modicum of knowledge about the way we govern ourselves, and lead, follow, or get the heck out of the way.’” [Raw Story, 10/13/2014, Fox News, Huckabee, 10/11/2014; VIDEO]

Huckabee Called For Impeachment Of Judge Striking Down Marriage Ban In Arkansas. According to Newsmax: “Mike Huckabee is calling for the impeachment of a judge who overturned a ban on gay marriage that Huckabee put into law as governor of Arkansas 17 years ago. Huckabee, who served as the state's governor from 1996 to 2007, signed a law in 1997 that made same-sex marriage illegal in Arkansas. But Judge Christopher Piazza ruled Friday that the law was unconstitutional. Now Huckabee, a potential Republican candidate for president in the 2016 election, is calling for current Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat, to begin the impeachment process. "The governor should call a special session of the legislature and impeach the judge and affirm the people's will," Huckabee said, as reported by The Hill. "If the people wish to allow same-sex marriage, they can put that matter on the ballot and vote for it." Huckabee continued: Piazza ‘decided that he is singularly more powerful than the 135 elected legislators of the state, the elected governor, and 75 percent of the voters of the state. Apparently he mistook his black robe for a cape and declared himself to be 'SUPER LAWMAKER!'’” [Newsmax, 5/12/14]

Huckabee Warned Anti-Discrimination Ordinances Infringed On Right Of For-Profit Idaho Officiant To Refuse To Perform Same-Sex Marriage Ceremony, Says “You’re Next.” On his Facebook Page, Huckabee said, “Remember when same-sex marriage activists used to claim that it would never infringe on other people’s religious beliefs? Well, that was a lie... Donald and Evelyn Knapp own a wedding chapel in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, called The Hitching Post. They’re both ordained ministers and devoutly religious, so they declined to perform a same-sex wedding. Last week, after the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of Idaho’s same-sex marriage ban, the city declared the Knapps in violation of the town’s anti-discrimination law. If they refuse to violate their religious beliefs and marry gay couples, they’ll face – brace yourself – up to 180 days in jail and a fine of $1000 a day. The Knapps say they’ll shut down their business first. The Alliance Defending Freedom has filed a federal lawsuit on their behalf. The city claims they don’t deserve a religious exemption because they’re a for-profit business. Here’s my question: how many pastors accept payment for performing weddings? Because if you do, you’re next.” [Facebook, Mike Huckabee, 10/21/2014]

Huckabee Said Christians “Are Being Bullied Out Of Business Because They Believe The Same Bible Barak [sic] Obama Claimed To Believe In 2008….This Nonsense Happens Because People Elect Bigoted Loons To Public Office.” On his website, Huckabee said, “And while we don’t want to offend the delicate religious sensibilities of a mass murdering terrorist or the monsters who plotted 9-11, the government stomps all over the religious convictions of Christians. Like Donald and Evelyn Knapp, wedding cake maker Melissa Klein, Elaine’s Photography in New Mexico, and TV hosts Jason and David Benham. All are being bullied out of business because they believe the same Bible Barak Obama claimed to believe in 2008. Hobby Lobby has to go the Supreme Court to keep from being forced to offer baby-killing drugs to their employees. Houston’s mayor subpoenas pastors for daring to disagree with a gay rights ordinance that allows men to use women’s restrooms. Muslims don’t accept homosexual marriage, but when have you heard the Human Rights Commission squealing about Muslims? This nonsense happens because people elect bigoted loons to public office. Next Tuesday might see a reversal of that trend. But a mere election won’t fix what’s wrong with America. For that, we need a moral and spiritual awakening. And a good dose of common sense.” [MikeHuckabee.com, 10/29/2014]

Huckabee Said LGBT People Worked For Him In Governor’s Office And An LGBT Person Could “Absolutely” Serve In His Administration. When asked whether an LGBT person could serve in a Huckabee administration, Huckabee replied, “Absolutely. Why not? People are competent because -- not with anything to do with their sexual orientation. I have people who are homosexual that work for me in the governor's office. And it was not a qualification. I think you should never (INAUDIBLE)...” [CNN, Larry King Live, 12/17/2007]

Huckabee Said California Conversion Therapy Ban Would Put At Risk 17-Year-Old Who Changed His Mind About Being LGBT. According to the Huffington Post: “On the April 18 installment of his radio show, the former Arkansas governor and GOP presidential candidate spoke with Liberty Counsel head Mat Staver, who slammed the [California] law [banning conversion therapy] as a ‘dangerous’ political statement. ‘Let’s say a young person comes in and says, ‘You know, I’ve always believed I’m homosexual, believed that since I was 7 years old, but now that I’m 17, I’ve decided that I’m not, I’m heterosexual,’ and goes to a pro-homosexual counselor,’ Huckabee told Staver. ‘Would that person be at risk?’ He then added, ‘It looks like some of those folks would be nervous that they couldn’t say, ‘Oh no, no you are homosexual all right because you thought that when you were seven, and therefore you have to stay that way.’” [Huffington Post, 4/22/2013, AUDIO]

Huckabee Compared Being LGBT To Drinking Alcohol And Using Profanity. In an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, “‘People can be my friends who have lifestyles that are not necessarily my lifestyle. I don't shut people out of my circle or out of my life because they have a different point of view,’ Huckabee told CNN's Dana Bash, while deflecting a question about whether he believes being gay is a choice. ‘I don't drink alcohol, but gosh -- a lot of my friends, maybe most of them, do. You know, I don't use profanity, but believe me, I've got a lot of friends who do. Some people really like classical music and ballet and opera -- it's not my cup of tea,’ Huckabee said.” [CNN, State of the Union, 2/1/2015; VIDEO]

Huckabee Said “The Ick Factor” Is Why Same-Sex Relationships Don’t Work The Same As Heterosexual Relationships. In a 2010 profile in the New Yorker, Huckabee said, “‘I do believe that God created male and female and intended for marriage to be the relationship of the two opposite sexes,’ he said. ‘Male and female are biologically compatible to have a relationship. We can get into the ick factor, but the fact is two men in a relationship, two women in a relationship, biologically, that doesn’t work the same.” I asked him if he had any arguments that didn’t have to do with God or ickiness. ‘There are some pretty startling studies that show if you want to end poverty it’s not education and race, it’s monogamous marriage,’ he said. ‘Many studies show that children who grow up in a healthy environment where they have both a mother and a father figure have both a healthier outlook and a different perspective from kids who don’t have the presence of both.’” [New Yorker, 6/28/2010]

• Huckabee Said That “Ick Factor” Was Not An Indication Of Personal Aversion, But An Established Phrase Used BY LGBT Advocates. But in a statement sent to POLITICO on Wednesday morning, Huckabee said his phrasing has been misunderstood. ‘The reaction over a reported quote from my most recent interview with the New Yorker has gained a lot of attention on the blogs and Internet. Let me set the record straight,’ Huckabee said. ‘Never once did I say ‘icky’, as many blogs and less than credible news organizations have reported.’ The former governor said that ‘my use of the phrase ‘ick factor’ was as the established notion from within the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender (GLBT) community. It was not an indication of personal aversion, but rather a reference to an established phrase used mostly from same-sex marriage advocates and militants – not one I created.’ After explaining where he says he acquired the phrase, the former governor said that he would not be apologizing to the gay groups. ‘I stand by my statement, and the misrepresentations of those who seek to dishonestly distort my views expose their duplicity and hypocrisy,’ he said.” [Politico, 6/23/2010]

Huckabee Joked That The Only Thing Worse Than An Affair With Nancy Pelosi Was An Affair With Helen Thomas, And “If Those Were My Only Options, I’d Probably Be FOR Same-Sex Marriage.” According to the New Yorker: “Huckabee does deviate from Party orthodoxy on some issues. But what makes him even less predictable as a politician is his sense of humor. At times, he seems unable to resist the force of his own funniness. I joked with him once that I would write about his (fictitious) affair with Nancy Pelosi. He e-mailed back, ‘The only thing worse than a torrid affair with sweet, sweet Nancy would be a torrid affair with Helen Thomas. If those were my only options, I’d probably be FOR same-sex marriage!’” [New Yorker, 6/28/2010]

Huckabee Said “In Our Lifetimes, We’ve Seen Our Country Go…From Barney Fife To Barney Frank.” According to the New Republic: “Addressing Iowa's Christian Alliance last month, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister and GOP presidential aspirant, used some artful, offensive language to rile up his conservative Christian followers: ‘In our lifetimes, we've seen our country go from 'Leave It to Beaver' to 'Beavis and Butt-head,' from Barney Fife to Barney Frank, from 'Father Knows Best' to television shows where father knows nothing.’” [New Republic, The Plank, 4/3/2006]

Huckabee Said “Until Recently, Who Would Have Dared To Suggest That [Homosexuality] Should Be Accepted On Equal Footing With Heterosexuality, To Be Thought Of As A Personal Decision And Nothing More?” According to the New Yorker: “Huckabee firmly believes that here on planet Earth, however, there should be only one set of guidelines. In several of his seven books, he tells a story about the time his young son John Mark baked a cake. The boy didn’t know what a ‘dash’ of salt was, so he added a cup to the batter, and the cake was inedible. This, Huckabee asserts, is what happens when human beings come up with their own measures of right and wrong, instead of following the Bible’s. ‘Consider homosexuality,’ he writes. ‘Until recently, who would have dared to suggest that the practice should be accepted on equal footing with heterosexuality, to be thought of as a personal decision and nothing more?’” [New Yorker, 6/28/2010]

Huckabee Said He Did Not Know Whether People Are “Born Gay” But “The Behavior One Practices Is A Choice.” On Meet the Press, Huckabee was asked by Tim Russert, “‘But when you say aberrant or unnatural, do you believe you're born gay or you choose to be gay?’ GOV. HUCKABEE: ‘I don't know whether people are born that way. People who are gay say that they're born that way. But one thing I know, that the behavior one practices is a choice. We may have certain tendencies, but how we behave and how we carry out our behavior…” [NBC, Meet the Press, 12/30/2007, VIDEO]

1992: Huckabee: “I Feel Homosexuality Is An Aberrant, Unnatural, And Sinful Lifestyle, And We Now Know It Can Pose A Dangerous Public Health Risk.” According to USA Today: “Also in the wide-ranging AP questionnaire in 1992, Huckabee said, ‘I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle, and we now know it can pose a dangerous public health risk.’” [USA Today, 12/8/2007]

• Huckabee Said That When He Said LGBT Lifestyle Was Sinful, Everyone’s A Sinner “So Sin Is Not Some Act Of Equating People With Being Murderers Or Rapists.” On Meet the Press, Huckabee was asked to his comments that homosexuality was sinful. “MR. RUSSERT: ‘But this is what concerns people. This, this is what you did say about homosexuality: ‘I feel homosexuality is an aberrant, unnatural and sinful lifestyle.’ That’s millions of Americans.’ GOV. HUCKABEE: ‘Tim, understand, when a Christian speaks of sin, a Christian says all of us are sinners. I’m a sinner, everybody’s a sinner. What one’s sin is, means it’s missing the mark. It’s missing the bull’s eye, the perfect point. I miss it every day; we all do. The perfection of God is seen in a marriage in which one man, one woman live together as a couple committed to each other as life partners. Now, even married couples don’t do that perfectly, so sin is not some act of equating people with being murderers or rapists…’” [NBC, Meet the Press, 12/30/2007, VIDEO]

Huckabee: “Shouldn’t A Bisexual Be Able To Have Both A Male And Female Spouse? Wouldn’t Restricting That Person Access To Both Genders Be Denying the Bisexual His Or Her Marriage ‘Equality’?” According to US News and World Report, in Huckabee’s book “God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy”, Huckabee says, “Given the current trend in judicial and public opinion, he floats the possibility of a future that expands marriage to more than two people. ‘Shouldn't a bisexual be able to have both a male and female spouse? Wouldn't restricting that person access to both genders be denying the bisexual his or her marriage 'equality?’” [US News and World Report, 1/8/2015]

Huckabee Compared LGBT Marriage Equality To Incest, Polygamy, and Drug Use And Said LGBT Couples Should Not Be Allowed To Adopt Because “Children Aren’t Puppies”. According to the Associated Press: “Mike Huckabee, a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2012, says the effort to allow gays and lesbians to marry is comparable to legalizing incest, polygamy and drug use. Huckabee also told college journalists last week that gay couples should not be permitted to adopt. ‘Children are not puppies,’ he said. Huckabee visited The College of New Jersey in Ewing, N.J., last Wednesday to speak to the Student Government Association. He also was interviewed by a campus news magazine, The Perspective, which published an article on Friday. Huckabee told the interviewer that not every group's interests deserve to be accommodated, if their lifestyle is outside of what he called ‘the ideal.’ ‘That would be like saying, well there's there are a lot of people who like to use drugs so let's go ahead and accommodate those who want to use drugs. There are some people who believe in incest, so we should accommodate them. There are people who believe in polygamy, should we accommodate them?’ he said, according to a transcript of the interview.” [Associated Press, 4/13/10, AUDIO]

Huckabee Urged Arkansas Legislature To Re-Impose Ban On LGBT Foster Parents After State Supreme Court Threw Existing Ban Out. According to the Associated Press: “Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Friday he hopes the Legislature considers reimposing a ban on gay foster parents, struck down a day earlier by the state Supreme Court. ‘I'm very disappointed that the court seems more interested in what's good for gay couples than what's good for children needing foster care,’ Huckabee said through his spokeswoman Alice Stewart.” [Associated Press, 7/1/2006]

Huckabee Said The ‘Ideal’ For Raising Children Was Heterosexual Marriage, But Refused To Say Whether He Thought Same-Sex Families Should Be Allowed To Foster Children. In an interview with Rosie O’Donnell, Huckabee said, “‘The point that I have tried to make is, I think the ideal is traditional marriage. Man, woman raising children that they’ve created and we don’t always have the ideal […] HUCKABEE: I certainly believe adoption ought to be a high priority and as a person who is pro-life, I certainly think we need to make a greater effort to put children with families who are going to nurture them and care for them.’ O’DONNELL: ‘And does that preclude gay families in your mind?’ HUCKABEE: ‘Well, you know Rosie, again, I think people have to make their own decision about what a family ought to look like and I’m not going to judge you or judge anybody else because I know there are so many loving people who are in same-sex relationships and they have adopted children and they love those kids. I’m not going to judge them. I’m simply not going there.’” [Think Progress, 4/23/2010, AUDIO]

Huckabee Supports Reinstating Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, And Believes Troops Do, Too. According to Talking Points Memo: “In an interview with One News Now, former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR) said that he supports reinstating ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell’ -- legislation repealed by Congress in December, which prohibited gay men and women from serving openly in the military. In the interview, Huckabee said he believes the troops want the ban reinstated. ‘There's been some talk that the military is fine with having same-sex orientation people,’ he said. ‘But if you really surveyed the combat troops, that is not at all the case.’ Huckabee also criticized politicians for getting involved in an issue he views as the military's terrain. ‘I don't think that these are decisions that politicians should make,’ he said. ‘These are decisions that soldiers should make. When the soldiers in the foxholes make the decisions, they choose something different -- and we should listen to them.’” [Talking Points Memo, 3/23/2011]

Huckabee Said He Would Let The Military Decide Whether To Overturn ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ In an interview with Larry King, Huckabee was asked if he would keep ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Huckabee responded, “I probably would let the military make that decision. One thing I don't think you need is a president who's trying to tell the military how to run the military, other than set broad policy agenda. The Uniform Code of Military Conduct is the best way to handle that and I would leave it to -- to those who run the military.” [CNN, Larry King Live, 12/17/2007]