Somewhere in Iowa-

In an hour plus (on the record) media availability on his “Huck-A-Bus” tour through Iowa, former Governor Mike Huckabee spoke to reporters on a wide-range of topics from complex policy questions on his pro-life stance, the credit crunch, and foreign policy, to the colorful. At one point, in a discussion with a Dutch TV Journalist, he even admitted trying a Dutch delicacy while visiting that country: Horsemeat! It was rare, expanded access to a presidential candidate, during a a political cycle, when  some of those running for president, in the top-tier, have a reputation for the opposite.

 Of course, the news of the day was that Secretary of State Condi Rice had criticized Huckabee’s description of the Bush Administration’s foreign policy in a magazine piece, saying ” the idea that somehow this is a go-it-alone strategy is just simply ludicrous.”In a Foreign Affairs  article, Huckabee described the Bush administration’s foreign policy as having an “arrogant bunker mentality”. Today, Huckabee  said that he had nothing but respect and admiration for Rice, but  wondered if she was reacting to what she heard about the article, or if she had in fact read it.

 ” Did she actually read the article or she is just reacting ,as others have, to headlines, and synopsis that’s been printed ?” he said. ” But it was not an attack on President Bush, it was,in fact, a specific observation on that part of administration’s policies.”

Reporters also asked him if he had written the essay. Huckabee responded that he had written most of it, but had several advisors assist him.

And the famous “Bunker” line? 

” I don’t remember if that was mine but I take responsibility for it.” 

done