By VictorM:

Mike Huckabee scares me. One good explanation to worry about him is this answer by John Haught from an interview with Salon.com:

The debate over evolution has entered the presidential campaign. Mike Huckabee, the former evangelical pastor, calls himself a "Christian leader" and says intelligent design should be one of the theories taught in public schools. But he says his personal views about evolution don't matter because education is a matter for states to decide. Should we be alarmed by his comments?

I think so. To admit that he "personally" rejects evolution may sound harmless enough at first sight. But when any Christians reject evolution these days, one may presume that they usually, though not always, do so on the basis of a literalist style of biblical interpretation. It's this that concerns me. Combined with the principle of private interpretation of Scripture, biblical literalism can end up short-circuiting the process of public debate, justifying almost any domestic and international policies one finds convenient. I don't know for sure that this is the case with Huckabee, but I'm still worried.

It is the possibility of having a "literalist style of biblical interpretation" president that I find disturbing. I believe other candidates such as McCain, Giuliani, and even Romney, as bad they are, can be persuaded more so than a man like Huckabee who deals in absolutes. To men like Huckabee, those who disagree with him on certain issues are not just people entitled to their own opinions or ways of life. A president's bully pulpit is a powerful tool to preach against the ways of Muslims, homosexuals, atheists, scientists, and any other group that the bible isn't too keen on, or so perceived by a man like Huckabee. I believe he would make use of such a tool. As a "Christian leader" he would be remiss not to.

PS. If you like atheist vs faith kind of discussions, this is a really good interview to read.