Huckabee: The Clintons ‘play to win’

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Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.) on Sunday praised Bill and Hillary Clinton for their strength on the campaign trail.

Huckabee’s remarks come ahead of Hillary Clinton’s expected launch of her 2016 presidential candidacy on Sunday.

“Hillary’s going to be a very formidable candidate,” Huckabee told host George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week.” “There’s no question about that.”

“They play to win,” he added about Hillary Clinton and former President Clinton.

“And anyone who thinks that she’s going to get into this half-heartedly, well, they’ve never encountered the will, the spirit, the heart and the determination of the Clinton political machinery,” Huckabee added.

The former Arkansas governor admitted it was “tough business” campaigning against the Clintons in his home state. All the same, he predicted Republicans might have an easier race against them in 2016.

“She’s going to have to explain how she’s not going to be Obama’s third term,” Huckabee argued of the contrast between Hillary Clinton and President Obama.

“I don’t think that’s a plus for her,” he added. “And recent polls show that there’s almost an overwhelming demand from people to undo a lot of Obama’s policies, both domestically and in foreign policy.”

Huckabee urged Republicans to ignore past Clinton controversies and focus on issues that resonate with voters instead. Taking the high ground, he charged, would help the GOP win the White House next year.

“I think the issues are far more important than some of the personal issues,” Huckabee concluded. “I’ve never felt that’s a really wholesome way to enter politics.”

Huckabee is weighing his own potential 2016 bid. Should he run, he will join Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Rand Paul (Ky.) as official GOP contenders in the race.

Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.), meanwhile, is expected to launch his campaign Monday in Miami.