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Huckabee poised to jump into GOP primary

Mike Huckabee said Friday he would make an announcement May 5, in Hope, Arkansas. In recent months, the former Arkansas governor has taken steps to launch a second White House bid. 

| Washington

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Friday that he will tell supporters on May 5 in the hometown he shares with former President Bill Clinton whether or not he will seek the Republicans' presidential nomination.

Huckabee, who unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination in 2008, has been taking steps to launch a White House bid in recent months, including stepping down from his paid position at Fox News. He told his former employer that he has given a lot of thought to the race and would announce his decision in Hope, Arkansas.

"May 5 is the day when I will make an announcement," Huckabee said. "I hope people will come to Hope, Arkansas, and not just to tour the Bill Clinton birthplace. But there's going to be an announcement that day, and everyone will know after then for sure whether Mike Huckabee is in the race or not."

Ahead of his visit with Fox News, he sat down with reporters and outlined a potential campaign, as well as lessons he took away from his 2008 failure. Chiefly, he has focused on the cash he will need to compete with better-funded rivals.

Huckabee ran before on a shoestring, winning Iowa by spending just $1 million. He was unable to keep the momentum, however, and eventually ceded the nomination to Sen. John McCain.

"I hope I'd run one with a whole lot more money," Huckabee said of a 2016 campaign.

He has been making calls to donors to make sure his campaign does not again go broke.

"I don't want to jump in a pool that doesn't have any water in it. It doesn't make for a very pleasant swim," Huckabee said.

He said a super PAC, which can accept and spend unlimited cash to help his candidacy, could help fill in those gaps.

"If it's the law, we're going to use it," he said. "I don't think anyone can be competitive if they don't have a super PAC's backing."

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