Huckabee: Creation, Evolution Beliefs Don't Matter In Presidency

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) _ Republican Mike Huckabee doesn't believe in evolution _ unless it involves his presidential campaign hopes. <br/><br/>The former Arkansas governor and Baptist pastor repeated his

Saturday, May 5th 2007, 2:53 pm

By: News On 6

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) _ Republican Mike Huckabee doesn't believe in evolution _ unless it involves his presidential campaign hopes.

The former Arkansas governor and Baptist pastor repeated his position endorsing intelligent design on Saturday, but joked that he would allow for his own evolution if it gives him a better shot at winning his party's nomination.

``For once I believe in evolution. I think I'll get stronger and stronger and stronger and stronger, and the other guys will get weaker and weaker and weaker,'' Huckabee said with a laugh during an interview. ``It's the process of natural selection. I'll be naturally selected to be the nominee for president.''

Huckabee was one of three GOP candidates who raised their hand during Thursday's debate when asked if they don't believe in evolution _ the development of organisms and species from a primitive state. Since then, he's sought to explain his views on evolution.

``I believe that the Creation has a creator. I believe there is a God. And I believe God put this whole creative process in motion. How he did it and the time frame in which he did it, I honestly don't know. Nor do I think it's relevant to being president of the United States,'' Huckabee said.

``I'm going to leave the scientists to debate the intricacies of how it happened and when it happened because I simply don't know. But I believe that rather than all this being just some accident that happened, there was a design, and a designer in the design,'' he said.

Huckabee badly lags in state and national polls. His first quarter fundraising totals were lackluster and he is struggling to find name recognition. He said Thursday's debate helped him with both and predicted his fellow Republicans would stay polite to one another for several months.

``I'm running for the presidency. ... I want people to evaluate me for who I am and what I stand for, not because I can throw more fiery darts at my opponent.''

Huckabee was in New Hampshire this weekend, starting with a 5K run Saturday morning and private meetings in the afternoon. He scheduled house parties on Sunday.

``It might be seemingly absurd to say it, but I think we'll win New Hampshire. I know that's a bold prediction,'' he said. ``And if not, I'll be close enough that people think I did. This state is geared for a candidate like me.''

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NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) _ Evoking the legacy of Ronald Reagan, potential presidential candidate Fred Thompson told fellow Republicans that smaller government and lower taxes are the way to a prosperous future.

The former Tennessee senator and ``Law & Order'' star spoke for about 35 minutes Friday night to the Lincoln Club of Orange County, sketching a broad agenda that hewed to Reaganesque themes _ a strong military, a limited federal government and robust free markets.

Thompson also warned that people in the United States must be prepared to sacrifice in a world threatened by terrorism and hostile governments.

``Every generation has made sure that it did its part to make sure that it did endure, with the sacrifices they made. And now it's our turn,'' Thompson said.

Thompson did not directly mention the 2008 White House race during his remarks, which came a day after the first televised debate among 10 rivals for the party nomination.

Like the leading Republican contenders, Thompson argued against leaving Iraq unless stability is restored. He noted that even when the U.S. leaves Iraq, the world still will be full of danger.

``We've inherited a world that is watching the attempted marriage between radical Islamic fundamentalism and nuclear technology,'' Thompson said.

Recent polls show that many Republicans are uneasy with the emerging field, and Thompson is being watched for signs he might run by ``people who do not see Reagan in the current crop of candidates,'' former state party chairman Duf Sundheim said.

Claremont McKenna College political scientist John Pitney said Thompson's entry into the race could help energize Republicans _ particularly conservatives uneasy with the candidates. Polls have suggested he would be a competitive candidate.

``Two things excite people _ passion for an issue and the prospect of winning,'' Pitney said. ''Both of those things seem to be absent from the current field.''