Allahpundit thinks it’s the influence of Pinkerton. I think Huckabee is smart enough to realize that he can’t win in the south (even with Christians) if he continues pushing for the intrusion of the federal government in a state where the voters believe very strongly in state rights. He’s fitting the message to the state as he did in Michigan. But will he change his mind again when he hits a state that is more receptive to his message?

In its statement to The Hill, the campaign stated, “At a Lance Armstrong cancer forum last August, Governor Huckabee said that if Congress presented him with legislation banning smoking in public places, he would sign it, because he would not oppose the overwhelming public support that such a congressional vote would reflect. However, since such sentiment for federal legislation doesn’t exist at this time, and since he has said that the responsibility for regulating smoking initially lies with the states, the governor believes that this issue is best addressed at the local and state levels.”

Um…Allahpundit has the video of his statement, judge for yourself.