Well, if my memory serves me correct the last Governor from Arkansas was also strongly disliked by his home state.Wrong. When he was a fringe candidate and more or less a point of interest because of his unusual name, Huckabee was given a free pass by the press. Now that he's become a serious candidate, he will be subject to the sort of intense scrutiny that any major candidate receives and he is going to be found wanting in a lot of areas. I have friends in Arkansas who say he was the worst governor of their lifetime (how they could make such a claim when the state had Orval Faubus as governor during the Civil Rights era is a whole other matter).
He also, when running for re-election, lost in his home state to a Republican.
They did'nt call him Slick Willy for nothing.
So just how much stock should I put into your friends feelings or intense scrutiny?
Ever see Primary Colors?
the Book