Showing No Signs of Heading to Sidelines, Huckabee Hits Destin

While he did not enter the race for the Republican presidential nomination, former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas shows no signs of heading for the sidelines. After his strong showing in the contest for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, Huckabee moved to Florida where he still resides. He will be signing books in Destin from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday at the Magnolia House.

With Florida looming as the largest swing state -- yet again -- in the 2012 general election, more than a few Republicans from the Sunshine State have been named as possible vice presidential candidates. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubios name gets the most buzz; U.S. Rep. Allen West has said that he is open to it; and there have even been a few whispers about former Gov. Jeb Bush ending up on the ticket.

Keep an eye on Huckabee. Hes more conservative than former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, his old rival from 2008. Huckabees certainly more likable than former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and does not have the former congressional leaders baggage when it comes to his personal life. With Huckabee securely nestled in Northwest Florida while keeping ties to Arkansas and having been vetted before, he could be a possibility to end up on the 2012 Republican ticket.