Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) said in a new interview that women running for president should be treated with “a sense of a pedestal” as compared to men.
Huckabee, who has attracted plenty of 2016 speculation himself, made the comments in an interview with The New Republic when asked about a Hillary Clinton candidacy.
The former governor drew on his past experience campaigning against female candidates in his political career.
“I’ve twice run against women opponents, and it’s a very different approach,” Huckabee said. “For those of us who have some chivalry left, there’s a level of respect.”
“You treat some things as a special treasure; you treat other things as common.”
Huckabee defended and elaborated on his comments in an additional statement to Salon.
“I believe in equality, and I have a record of transforming that belief into action,” he said. “However, equality doesn’t mean sameness.”
“I was raised to treat women with respect. I still will invite a lady to go first, will open a door for her, and will place her in the center of the photograph. And yes, I would seek to treat a female opponent with the same respect I give to all women, even though we may disagree on the issues.”
