Mike Huckabee told
Newsmax TV Tuesday presidential debate moderators have treated Democrats with respect and deference, while Republicans have faced "contempt, scorn and ridicule" during their three televised contests.
"We get questions that are silly," the 2016 candidate told "Newsmax Prime" hosts J.D. Hayworth and Miranda Khan. "They get questions that are more substantive, but it's the attitude with which the questions are asked."
Watch Newsmax TV on
DirecTV Ch. 349, Dish Ch. 223 and
Verizon FiOS Ch. 115. Get Newsmax TV on your cable system —
Click Here Now
"There is a differential treatment to the Democrats, as if they deserve the respect as candidates for president," he added. "When we're asked questions, we're treated with contempt, scorn and ridicule."
Huckabee, who served as Arkansas governor from 1996 to 2007, said that he supported GOP candidates taking a stronger role in shaping future debates because "we just don't want to waste our time talking about fantasy football, talking about what we think of Donald Trump's hair."
"We just don't want to waste our time and the viewer's time on things that aren't as important. It's why for 40 years, wages for the bottom 90 percent of American workers have been stagnant."
"People care about that because they're getting gut-punched," he added. "What they don't care about is the silly little rejoinders that the president is throwing out right now."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.