Huckabee/Webster 2012

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was in Tallahassee last night as the keynote speaker for a Suwannee River Boy Scout Council fundraiser. Huckabee avoided politics and did not talk about either his 2008 presidential bid or his plans for 2012. The University Center Club event pulled in more than 330 attendees, who paid $250 a ticket.

Huckabee was introduced by former House Speaker and former state Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster. Huckabee was enthusiastic in his praise for Webster, calling him one of the most beloved and respected political leaders in the nation.

The former governor even expressed his hope that Webster would run for office down the road, saying, I hope Webster considers his political future.

While Webster has been on the Florida stage for three decades, he is only 60 years old. First elected in 1980, Webster served in the House until 1998 becoming the first Republican to serve as speaker in over a century. From 1999 to 2008, he served in the Senate, eventually working his way up to become majority leader.

Webster launched a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2004 but pulled out after failing to make the ballot by petition. He endorsed Huckabee in the 2008 campaign and the admiration is clearly mutual.

You have to run for something else, Huckabee said to Webster.