Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee landed in Chattanooga this morning and immediately refuted allegations that he's only here because he's getting paid.
Mr. Huckabee, a 2008 presidential candidate and a Fox News host, said he's not being paid to campaign for Chuck Fleischmann, a 3rd Congressional District candidate.
Referring to Robin Smith, another 3rd Congressional District candidate whose campaign reportedly raised the allegations, Mr. Huckabee implied that candidates who are dishonest in the way they campaign will be dishonest in the way they hold office.
"There have been some allegations that are frankly dishonest - let me just be blunt, dishonest - about my record and about Chuck's position and it's unfortunate because there really is no need for that in a primary," Mr. Huckabee said. "I'm not sure it's necessary in the general election, but it's certainly inappropriate in the primary."
Mr. Huckabee, who won Tennessee's GOP presidential primary in 2008, did not close the door on a 2012 presidential run, but said today he's in the state strictly for Mr. Fleischmann.
Mr. Huckabee will hold a rally for Mr. Fleischmann at Lee University Alumni Park at 2 p.m. today in Cleveland, Tenn.