Huckabee's book tour hits Killeen Posted On: Monday, Nov. 24 2008 04:36 AM By Mason W. Canales
Killeen Daily Herald

Former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee signed hundreds of copies of his recently released book at the Killeen Hastings store Sunday.

Huckabee's book, "Do the Right Thing," is not about looking behind us, he said. The book is about looking ahead and making changes, using common sense.

"I think that the message of the book is how to hit the reset button for the Republican Party," Huckabee said.

While the context of the book is his campaign for president, it portrays his belief that the wisdom of running the government comes for those locally, Huckabee said.

"I think a lot wisdom will come out here with people like mayors and governors," Huckabee said.

Huckabee has a weekly news-talk television show, "Huckabee," on the Fox News network.

The line of those waiting to get books signed by Huckabee wrapped around the inside of the store starting about two hours prior to his arrival.

"I am just a big fan of the governor's, and wanted to get the book signed," said Alton Buzzell, of Fort Hood, who was at the front of the line with his wife, Aimee.

The young couple had been at Hastings since about 4 p.m., Buzzell said.

"I think it (getting a book signed) is a pretty good experience," Buzzell said. "It is not every day you get to meet people that affect the lives of people."

An even younger fan of Huckabee waited in line for about an hour to get an autographed book.

Dusti Patterson, 11, of Killeen, was overwhelmed by a chance to meet Huckabee.

"I like Mike Huckabee," Dusti said. "It was really cool because I got to watch him from the beginning."

Huckabee is funny and very friendly, she said. She met him just prior to the book signing while his tour bus briefly stopped down the street.

Dusti's parents, Ken and Brandy, weren't sure they were going to attend the signing on Sunday, but Dusti insisted, they said.

"She was deeply into Mike Huckabee; she had pickets and signs for him," Brandy said.

Huckabee signed, shook hands and said thank you to almost every person in line. The occasional person got a joke, and some people shouted "Huckabee 2012" after exiting the line.

"It is to early to think about that," Huckabee said about running for president in 2012.

He did, however, say he was going to focus on the 2010 elections and help support candidates who showed him the same curteousy.

For his book tour, Huckabee is traveling to more than 50 cities in the span of about three weeks with only a small break for Thanksgiving.

Huckabee said he was honored to see so many of his supporters throughout the first couple of days of the tour.

"The good thing about a book tour is that you don't have opposition," Huckabee said. "It is invigorating to get to meet so many people."

Contact Mason W. Canales at mcanales@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7554.