So when we're really addressing issues like poverty, you can't do that without addressing the real driver of some of those, which is stable homes, families. So that's why to me those issues are important. They're not frivolous. They're critical economic issues.

" Huckabee denies he defamed Portman. In a later ad Huckabee wiMike Huckabeed voters a merry Christmas and said that "what really matters is the celebration of the birth of Christ. However Tucker insisting he had a strong case for appeal rescinded his resignation as Huckabee was preparing to be sworn in on July 15.

Huckabee currently hosts the Fox News Channel talk show Huckabee. Huckabee exited the race as McCain became the presumptive Republican nominee after winning the delegate-rich winner-take-all states of Florida California and New York.