Huckabee criticizes Romney’s change of heart

OKLAHOMA CITY—Republican Mike Huckabee defended his previous remark that Mitt Romney didn’t reach “political puberty” until recently, saying he was referring to his presidential rival’s change of heart on key issues.

Romney said humor has its place, but added that the race for president should be a more serious matter.

Speaking to 600 supporters jammed into a restaurant-bar in Oklahoma City, Huckabee said he has been consistent on issues dear to conservatives such as abortion, gun control and gay rights, while Romney has shifted his positions.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, was once “very pro choice” and supported “strong positions for same-sex-relations,” Huckabee said.

“He said on television that he would do more for the gay-lesbian agenda than Ted Kennedy. That’s pretty bold. He said on television that he was not part of the Reagan Revolution, said that he was not part of that Reagan-Bush thing. That’s on camera.”

The former Arkansas governor made the “political puberty” remark Thursday on MSNBC: “Here’s a man who didn’t hit political puberty in the conservative ranks until 60 years old,” Huckabee said.

Friday, Huckabee said Romney claims to be a gun rights backer but cannot be a “true Second Amendment” supporter because he supports an assault weapons ban.

“I think you can’t just have a change of opinion on fundamental issues over and over and wait until you’re running for president to do it,” Huckabee said.

“To say you never thought about the origins of human life until you were nearly 60 years old, I find that hard to believe, even for someone who hadn’t run for public office,” he added.

Romney, speaking to reporters Friday in Denver, said: “Gov. Huckabee is always good for a good chuckle. That’s another good chuckle.

“I think the presidency is about something very serious,” Romney said. “And while there’s occasionally a time of natural humor, I think the presidency is more serious than that comment suggests.”

Earlier, Huckabee appealed to his Oklahoma supporters to spread the word that he is the most conservative candidate in the race and more attuned to their values. He said his anti-abortion beliefs and his “fair tax” proposal are resonating with voters in states in the South and Midwest.

Huckabee has proposed shutting down the Internal Revenue Service and funding the federal government with a 23 percent national sales tax.

After winning Iowa on Jan. 3, Huckabee has lost six straight nomination contests and his campaign is rapidly fading.

Romney — who won Michigan and Nevada, but lost New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida to John McCain — expressed concern earlier this week that Huckabee will peel off enough conservatives to deprive him of victory over McCain in next week’s Super Tuesday Republican nomination contests.