The last time a little-known arkansas governor ran for President, he waited until four months before the Iowa caucuses to make his announcement. That worked out pretty well for Bill Clinton, so it's understandable that until a few weeks ago, Mike Huckabee thought he had plenty of time. Buoyed by early encouragement from some Republican activists and savoring his last days in the Governor's mansion in Little Rock, Huckabee assumed that he would wait until at least the spring before announcing whether he would run in 2008. Better to move slowly and develop a sure message, he figured, than to rush in before he was ready. But this election is different. Huckabee is realizing that time is a luxury he doesn't have. Top political talent is being snapped up. Antsy potential supporters are starting to look elsewhere and are asking what's taking so long to start his campaign. Then there's money. Even if he starts today, Huckabee will have to raise about $2 million a week to get to the $100 million or so that it will take for him to be considered a serious contender. "It seems awfully early to me," he says, "but my decision is something that has to be announced soon."
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