Unlike some Republican Presidential candidates–Jeb Bush, Lindsey Graham–who have sought to distance themselves from the racist, anti-immigrant comments made by Donald Trump, Mike Huckabee says Trump is a very welcome addition to the herd of GOP contenders for 2016.

During an appearance on the radio program “American Heartland with Dr. Grace,” the former Governor of Arkansas and Fox News host remarked:

“You know I’ve been very careful not to comment on the other candidates and I’ve been very honest in saying (that) Donald Trump doesn’t need my help getting wind underneath his wings or to get publicity. It’s very difficult for me to understand why Republicans spend our time beating up on other Republicans. Donald Trump has every much right to run as I do or anyone else. He will make his statements, he will stand by his statements, and he’ll defend them. I’d rather focus on my own plans, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Huckabee added that he cannot understand why so many people have criticized Trump and called him racist for his statements on Hispanic immigrants:

“I don’t think that Donald Trump is a racist, and I think that anybody who will say that has never been around him. He’s a plain-spoken guy, but I think that if you disagree with somebody, calling them a racist is sort of a way to end a legitimate and thoughtful discussion and that’s unfortunate. Republicans have room in our party for Donald Trump and we should be welcome to hear his views, and if you disagree with him, well, we’ll disagree with him.”

Oh yeah, he’s plain-spoken. That much is certain. But how in the world can Huckabee possibly say that calling every Mexican immigrant who comes to America a drug dealer, murderer, or rapist isn’t racist?

Growing up, I was taught that you are, in large part, who you are by the company that you keep; the people you choose to associate with and those you decide to avoid. And Mike Huckabee’s refusal to condemn Donald Trump is the clearest indication yet that he is unfit to ever be President of the United States.

This article was originally published by the same author at LiberalAmerica.org.