Atlanta — Mike Huckabee was the first candidate to face the Trump-obsessed media horde at the RedState Gathering here this morning. The former Arkansas governor did not make any reference to Trump in his remarks before attendees. In speaking to reporters after, however, Huckabee sang the praises of Fox News host Megyn Kelly, but declined to attack Trump.

“Megyn Kelly is a person I’ve worked with for six and a half years at Fox News my relationship with her is one that tells me she is the quintessential and consummate professional. . . . I’ll tell you she is the one of the most beloved people in the building. She is also one of those people you don’t tangle with. She is a person who is as smart as anybody I’ve ever known, but is also as professional as anyone I’ve ever known,” Huckabee told reporters after his event.

Indeed, Huckabee went out of his way not to directly engage with Trump on the comments.

“Rather than say something about the criticism I’ll tell you that there is not a more professional, a more savvy, and more brilliant person in television today than Megyn Kelly,” Huckabee said.

Ask if Trump ought to apologize, Huckabee said, “I’ll leave that up to him.”

At some point, Huckabee became fed up with the incessant questions about Trump. “I’m running for president, I’m not running for the social media critic for somebody else who is running for president,” he said.

During Huckabee’s press conference, senator Lindsey Graham, who is not attending the RedState Gathering, took a different tack and put out a statement attacking Trump. Graham condemned the remarks as “offensive” and “not worthy of the office he is seeking.” The full statement is below.

Due to Donald Trump’s unrelenting and offensive attack on Megyn Kelly and others, we are at a crossroads with Mr. Trump. I applaud Erik Erickson for doing the right thing when he disinvited Donald Trump from a gathering of Republican activists. As a party, we are better to risk losing without Donald Trump than trying to win with him. Enough already with Mr. Trump.
These statements are not worthy of the office he is seeking nor consistent with the leadership we should expect from a Commander-in-Chief in these dangerous times.