Huckabee visits Plano, TX

Plano got a glimpse of the 2008 presidential race Friday evening when Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee visited Charlie O’Reilly’s home to raise funds for his presidential exploratory committee.

Republicans and democrats agree Collin County is an ideal area for presidential candidates to do their fundraising.

“Collin County is one of the richest counties in Texas,” said Deborah Angell Smith, Collin County Democratic Party chair. “Because of the number of corporate headquarters and organizations in the area, it is a fertile ground for fundraising.”

Ray Huffines, Plano resident and CEO of Huffines Auto Dealerships, was present at Huckabee’s fundraiser. Huffines said a Republican presidential candidate visiting Plano was nothing out of the ordinary.

“Obviously Plano is a very Republican place, very Republican,” Huffines said. “It doesn’t surprise me that Republican candidates would target Plano as a good place to have an event.”

O’Reilly’s home was fill with more than 120 supporters for Huckabee’s campaign. The crowd inside the house lined up to shake hands and snap photographs with the Republican governor from Arkansas. “(Plano) is as good a place as there is on Earth,” said Huckabee, when asked why he chose to visit the city to raise funds for his campaign.

While Huckabee admitted he got a slow start, he said he is optimistic about his chances to become the Republican presidential nominee and even being elected the next U.S. president.

Huckabee said his late arrival to the race shouldn’t hamper his efforts, comparing the campaign process to one of America’s most popular racing sports.

“Like a NASCAR race, it is not about how you are doing in the first few laps. It is how you are doing in the last few laps that make the difference,” Huckabee said. “I think we will win (the upcoming primaries and presidential election). I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think I was going to win.”

O’Reilly’s walls were lined with framed photographs of himself posing with politicians and professional athletes, such as U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), U.S. President George W. Bush and former Dallas Cowboy Walt Garrison.

O’Reilly — who supported Bush’s campaign in 2000 — said he believes Huckabee could be the next president.

“I think you may be looking at the next president right here,” O’Reilly said. “I believe he has moved up into the higher-level tier now.”

Smith defined Huckabee as a strongly conservative candidate.

“Huckabee is definitely one of the more conservative presidential candidates opposing widely accepted positions such as evolution, climate change and comprehensive immigration reform,” Smith said.

Huffines said Huckabee’s stances on pro-life and traditional marriage were two reasons why Huckabee will get his vote.

“His stand on the issues I think is right in line with what I believe,” Huffines said.

Contact Josh Hixson at jhixson@acnpapers.com