Huckabee Calls Iraq Timetables ‘Absurd’

ABC News’ Brandon Odoi Reports: On a conference with reporters from his home in Little Rock, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., spoke out aggressively Thursday against the use of timetables in Iraq, saying that the United States should do "whatever it takes" to win.

"The quickest way to get out of Iraq is to win," said Huckabee, adding that any timetable strategy is "absurd." Huckabee thinks the United States ought to have a goal of concluding the war but not specifying exactly when.

"When you do that," said Huckabee, "all you do to your opponent is say that they’re going to win and all [they] have to do is stay on the field and in the game."

In the past, the former Arkansas governor had been reluctant to make suggestions about Iraq policy by noting that he did not have access to all the security information and other classified documents that a president has access to.  He also has been slow to offer criticism for President Bush, telling ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos in a February This Week interview that the "surge" of military troops should be given time to work.   
 
Huckabee offered his comments about Iraq on a conference call to announce that former Gov. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., will chair Huckabee’s national steering committee.  Rounds, who formed a solid bond with Huckabee during their time working together through the National Governor’s Association, will be charged with coordinating policy, politics, and fundraising for the campaign.