Huckabee: Creation, evolution beliefs don't matter in presidency

CONCORD, N.H. --Republican Mike Huckabee doesn't believe in evolution -- unless it involves his presidential campaign hopes.

The former Arkansas governor and Baptist pastor repeated his position endorsing intelligent design on Saturday, but joked that he would allow for his own evolution if it gives him a better shot at winning his party's nomination.

"For once I believe in evolution. I think I'll get stronger and stronger and stronger and stronger, and the other guys will get weaker and weaker and weaker," Huckabee said with a laugh during an interview. "It's the process of natural selection. I'll be naturally selected to be the nominee for president."

Huckabee was one of three GOP candidates who raised their hand during Thursday's debate when asked if they don't believe in evolution -- the development of organisms and species from a primitive state. Since then, he's sought to explain his views on evolution.

"I believe that the Creation has a creator. I believe there is a God. And I believe God put this whole creative process in motion. How he did it and the time frame in which he did it, I honestly don't know. Nor do I think it's relevant to being president of the United States," Huckabee said.

"I'm going to leave the scientists to debate the intricacies of how it happened and when it happened because I simply don't know. But I believe that rather than all this being just some accident that happened, there was a design, and a designer in the design," he said.

Huckabee badly lags in state and national polls. His first quarter fundraising totals were lackluster and he is struggling to find name recognition. He said Thursday's debate helped him with both and predicted his fellow Republicans would stay polite to one another for several months.

"I'm running for the presidency. ... I want people to evaluate me for who I am and what I stand for, not because I can throw more fiery darts at my opponent."

Huckabee was in New Hampshire this weekend, starting with a 5K run Saturday morning and private meetings in the afternoon. He scheduled house parties on Sunday.

"It might be seemingly absurd to say it, but I think we'll win New Hampshire. I know that's a bold prediction. But I certainly think we're the capacity to win New Hampshire," he said. "And if not, I'll be close enough that people think I did. This state is geared for a candidate like me."