Huckabee: Campaign not in trouble despite aide’s departure

by Jesse Byrnes - 12/15/15 9:05 AM ET

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee says that the departure of a top aide on the eve of the latest GOP presidential debate doesn’t mean his campaign is in trouble.

{mosads}”We hate to lose Alice, but she’s decided that she’s I think exhausted from the campaign,” Huckabee said during an interview Monday night on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper.” He was referring to communications director Alice Stewart, who a spokesman on Monday confirmed was “no longer” with the campaign.

“We’re moving forward,” Huckabee insisted. “I think if people try to read more into it than is there, they’re going to be making a huge mistake.”

Huckabee is slated to appear in the “undercard” debate Tuesday night in Las Vegas after failing to meet the threshold in polls to appear on stage for the prime-time debate.

It’s the second straight appearance in the undercard debate for the 2008 presidential candidate who won the Iowa caucuses but has struggled to break through in the crowded 2016 field.

“I think we’re going to get more time,” Huckabee said on CNN, noting only four candidates will be in the undercard debate compared to eight candidates on the main stage with Donald Trump.

“The one good thing is that I’ll actually get to answer some questions,” Huckabee added.

Tags 2016 GOP primary Mike Huckabee