Former governor of Arkansas, Christian minister, author, and commentator Mike Huckabee announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in Hope, Arkansas on May 5, 2015. Huckabee also ran for president in 2008, when he won the Iowan caucus. Unfortunately for Huckabee, this year’s campaign appears to lack the same momentum- in Iowa he has a meager 2% of the votes and only 1% nationwide. Despite his low ratings, he has been haled by some as a conservative favorite when he met with and praised Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis.

Keep on reading for a quick overview of his ideas and beliefs:

Background: Huckabee was born on August 24, 1955 in Hope, Arkansas, a hometown that he shares with Bill Clinton. Huckabee married his wife, Janet (McCain), on May 25, 1974.  He attended Ouachita Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. However, he dropped out of seminary to take a job in Christian broadcasting. He then served as the Governor of Arkansas. He also hosted the Fox News Show “Huckabee”.

Foreign Policy:

• Calls for a larger military and higher defense spending.
• Rejects two-state solution for Israel and Palestine
• Against the ending of the Cuban Embargo
• Supports NAFTA and CAFTA

The Economy:

• Has proposed economic sanctions on China
• Against  Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
• Supports infrastructure projects
• Against corporate taxes
• Get rid of the IRS
• Supports income tax and national sales tax

Domestic Issues:

• Opposes Obamacare and believes healthcare should be a personal choice
• Immigration plan includes building a border fence, increased border patrol personnel, and increases in visas for skilled workers who enter the country legally. All illegal immigrants would be registered and returned to their home countries.
• Is against gun control and supports concealed carry laws
• Supports death penalty for serious crimes
• Against the Common Core standard

Social Issues:

• Is against gay marriage and civil unions, believes marriage is between a man and a woman. Also opposes gay adoptions
• Opposes public funding of abortion, believes it should only be used when the life of the mother is at risk
• Believes that creationism should be taught in schools along with evolution

Quotes:

“The most important thing about global warming is this. Whether humans are responsible for the bulk of climate change is going to be left to the scientists, but it’s all of our responsibility to leave this planet in better shape for the future generations than we found it.”

“Jay-Z is a very shrewd businessman, but I wonder: does it occur to him that he is arguably crossing the line from husband to pimp by exploiting his wife as a sex object? … Jay-Z and Beyonce have been to the White House numerous times, but how can it be that the Obamas let Sasha and Malia listen to that trash?”

“The health care system is really designed to reward you for being unhealthy. If you are a healthy person and work hard to be healthy, there are no benefits.”

“Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ And I think a lot of people don’t understand that there’s a difference between a peace lover and a peacemaker. Everybody loves peace, but wearing jewelry around your neck and saying ‘I love peace’ doesn’t bring it.”

“To me, there are four F’s in a good tax system: it ought to be flatter, fairer, finite and family-friendly.”

Muppet he most resembles: The Newsman. Huckabee used to be a radio talk show host. Both look a little tired and confused.