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'We Need Alabama!' Huckabee Declares

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The Associated Press

Published: January 27, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Mike Huckabee appealed to his evangelical base Saturday, telling an overflow crowd at a Baptist school it will take victories in Alabama and other conservative states to win the Republican presidential nomination.

"We need Alabama!" the former Arkansas governor told the cheering crowd at Samford University.

Introduced warmly by GOP Gov. Bob Riley, Huckabee quoted Old Testament scripture and the Declaration of Independence. He drew applause for advocating an end to abortion, supporting a strong military and portraying illegal immigration as completely out of control.

"We need someone who will not just say things but go and do the things needed to get America back on track," Huckabee said.

He drew a standing-room-only crowd in a 280-seat auditorium, and as many as 1,600 people filled an overflow room. The crowd was virtually all white and included many Samford students.

Huckabee's visit was announced late in the week, and organizers said they weren't sure how many to expect. Alabama's primary is Feb. 5.

"We obviously underestimated how many people would show up. I will never underestimate Alabama again," Huckabee said.

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