Huckabee will not run in 2012

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After months of speculation, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who ran for president in 2008, announced Saturday night on his Fox News program that he would not mount a second run for the White House.

Huckabee explained that while on paper he appears to have overcome many of the obstacles candidates face, in his times of personal reflection and prayer he came to realize a second campaign was not God’s will.

“I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ and that relationship is far more important to me than any political office,” Huckabee said. “For me the discussion and decision is ultimately not a political one, not a financial one, not even a practical one — it’s a spiritual one.”

His consultations with Christ brought Huckabee to his final decision: he will not run.

“The past few weeks, the external signs and signals and answers to many of the obstacles point strongly toward running,” he explained. “And when I have people encouraging me to run, it’s easy to feel the strength of their partnership and commitment to help me to the finish line. But only when I was alone in quiet and reflective moments did I have not only clarity, but an inexplicable inner peace — a peace that exceeds human understanding.”

“All the factors say go, but my heart says no,” he concluded.

Huckabee was considered to be one of the frontrunners for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination — frequently leading other possible Republican presidential candidates in national and regional polls.

In his announcement, Huckabee noted the speculation that surrounded his possible candidacy. With his explanation, it is now understandable why even Huckabee’s inner circle did not know which way he would go since Huckabee said he did not come to a decision until just recently.

Even with the announcement that he had made a decision, his inner circle was only left to guess the outcome of it.

“Not even my executive producer knows,” Huckabee said on the “O’Reilly Factor” Friday evening.

He kept the suspense alive with an email sent to advisers Friday, which was obtained by Time magazine, alerting them of his announcement.

“Many friends have said, ‘how can we help you in the decision?’ My answer has consistently been, ‘Pray that I have clarity,’” he wrote. “I have it and will share it Saturday night during the show. Please be patient if I don’t respond immediately to an email because I expect that once I pull the trigger Saturday night, things will get even crazier, as if that’s possible.”

Now the debate will shift to just who will get the coveted Huckabee endorsement.

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NEXT: Huckabee's full statement