Huckabee mixes fun and serious

By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff

HENNIKER, N.H. -- An ebullient Mike Huckabee arrived in this quaint college town this afternoon and dove right into his message: he is a fun guy.

Before saying barely a word to the audience, the Baptist minister picked up a bass guitar and played three songs with the warm-up band. Then he got in a little dig at Democrat Hillary Clinton with a line that might have been the best received of his appearance here: "Do you really think they have as much fun at Hillary's rallies?"

The crowd in the packed gymnasium at New England College roared its approval.

Huckabee, introduced by his favorite sidekick, actor Chuck Norris, said there was nothing wrong with having fun as long as he was also prepared for the serious work of being president.

Having just defeated the much-better financed Mitt Romney in Iowa's caucuses, Huckabee suggested he hoped to be equally successful in New Hampshire, though he was far behind in the most recent polls.

"In New Hampshire, it is not just about how much money a candidate has raised," Huckabee said. "It is about what kind of future will be raised for the next generation."

"I'm running for office. I know we could do a lot better," Huckabee said.