Huckabee Has Second Presidential Candidate Debate

Former Gov. Mike Huckabee says he would have to think "long and hard" before he would consider joining a ticket with a candidate who supports abortion rights.

Huckabee says one of the reasons he got into politics is "the manner in which we treat innocent life."

The Republican presidential candidate and Southern Baptist minister says he thought the second debate Tuesday night among the 10 Republican presidential hopefuls gave him a chance to outline positions.

Huckabee did not specifically name his rival former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has said he is personally opposed to abortion but supports a woman's right to choose. Huckabee has criticized that position.

Huckabee spoke to reporters in a conference call Wednesday morning from South Carolina, site of Tuesday night's GOP debate.

He also poked fun at John Edwards during the debate.

"Fair tax, that's the first thing I'd want to do as president--put a going out of business sign on the IRS, just for them to operate. If we had a fair tax, it would eliminate not just the alternative minimum tax. It would eliminate all the various taxes hidden in our system. It would be revenue neutral. It's the best proposal that we ought to have. It?s fair, family friendly. We've had a Congress that's spends more money than John Edwards at a beauty shop."