ABC Seeks out John Avlon of the Lefty Daily Beast to Bash 'Weak' GOP, 'Extreme' Primary Process

BIANA GOLODRYGA: But, the big question is, will he or won't he run? John Avlon, senior political columnist for The Daily Beast joins us this morning to help answer that question this morning. Of course, we're talking about Mike Huckabee. You know, just a few weeks ago, you said it would be hard pressed to not to see him running just because of how well he's polling virtually by doing nothing. You're not so sure now. Why?

JOHN AVLON (Senior political columnist, Daily Beast): Well, the buzz coming out from former senior campaign aides they haven't heard anything from Huckabee in the last several weeks, indicating that the buck will stop here, that Huckabee will say tonight that he won't run. But, again, the only person who knows for sure is Huckabee and, presumably, his family. It's extraordinary that he's polling so well, even for doing nothing. And it's because he has got such a strong, conservative populist. It's really carried him through to this date.

GOLODRYGA: And Is it also because he does seem to have a name, compared to a lot of these other candidates. As we said, the medium candidates, as we heard in the piece earlier from John. Will we see a push for someone as dynamic, let's say, as Christie for example?

AVLON: I think you're going to see a demand for other candidates getting in. The elephant in the room in this Republican field is that it is broad but fairly weak. And so far, not successfully inspired a lot of activists. You have got a party that is currently in warlord status. A lot of active factions, but no clear leader of the national party. And so, even with the current field, which is crowded, I think you will see more demand for even more candidates getting in that can inspire people and who have a chance to win a general.

GOLODRYGA: And yet, with so much focus on the economy, you have potential candidates names thrown out there like Mitch Daniels, Jon Huntsman, for example.

AVLON: Sure.

GOLODRYGA: Even Mitt Romney. They have the chops to back them up. Will we see that be the focus in the next few weeks and months ahead?

AVLON: Certainly Mitt Romney. I mean, he gave a major health care speech this week. Criticized by many conservatives, I thought he bravely supported his decision to enact health care reform in Massachusetts. But didn't help him with the base, which already is fairly skeptical. When you're in a situation where Mitch Daniels is being called on to be the white knight of the Republican Party, it is an indication of a certain desire for something different. And Jon Huntsman is a name who many Americans don't know yet, former Utah governor and former China ambassador. But, you can see him get in as well. At the end of the day, it's about who can win a general election. The problem is the primary process is so distorting, it forces candidates to the extreme. That makes them more difficult to get elected in the fall.

GOLODRYGA: Well, we shall see. A lot to look forward to. Thank you so much for coming in.