The day you’ve all been waiting for is here: Mike Huckabee…has announced the opening of his exploratory committee!  Try not to get too excited.  From CQPolitics:

Huckabee is launching his presidential exploratory effort upon completion of a tour promoting his book “From Hope to Higher Ground: 12 Stops to Restoring America’s Greatness,” which focuses on his gubernatorial policies.

The “Hope” in the title refers to his rise from humble beginnings in the town of that name, which also is the boyhood home of a former Arkansas governor-turned-president, Democrat Bill Clinton. Huckabee has a political action committee named Hope for America.

Still, the once portly Huckabee is far better known nationally for his 2005 book, “Quit Digging Your Grave With A Knife And Fork,” that focused on his successful efforts to shed about 100 pounds through diet and exercise — prompted by being diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes.

I can already hear the words of Huckabee’s formal announcement: “America is a great nation, because it is a hopeful nation.  If we ever lose our hope, then we shall surely regain the weight that we have shed using my deficit-reducing diet budget plan.”