Huckabee says polling shows he's best Republican to take on Obama in 2012

Mike Huckabee said Sunday he's the strongest Republican to take on President Obama in 2012.

"I end up leading a lot of the polls," the former Arkansas governor told "Fox News Sunday." "I’m the Republican that clearly at this point does better against Obama than any other Republican."

Huckabee said he hasn't made up his mind about running, but suggested he's strongly considering it.

“I haven’t closed the door. I think that would be foolish on my part, especially when poll after poll shows that there is strong sentiment out there," he said.

At the same time, Huckabee offered guarded plaudits to other Republicans in the mix.

"There's no doubt in my mind that he's running, and I think he's a formidable candidate," he said of Mitt Romney while saying he'd have to "confront" the issue of government healthcare in Massachusetts. "I don't think anybody can dismiss him because he has the organization. He's got the money. He's got sort of the inside track with a lot of the Republican establishment."

Of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin: "She's got the fire, the energy, and I think there are a lot of Republicans who love her, would support her, and she would be a very strong presence in a presidential primary."

Huckabee also said Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who recently angered some conservatives by proposing a "truce" on social issues, is a "great manager" and "could be one of our most qualified potential candidates."

"I just don't want him to back away from issues that will energize and have energized 40 to 50 percent of the Republican base," he said. "You can't do that and win the primary and win the general election."

Huckabee gave the biggest hat tip to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. "I love Jeb Bush. He's one of the smartest. He's one of the most articulate. If Jeb decided to run, I think it would be hard for anyone to overwhelm him. He is, in many ways, one of the best, most talented people we have in the Republican Party."