Huckabee Slams Obama Over Gay Nominee to Lead Army

Republican 2016 presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee took time over the weekend to slam President Barack Obama over his choice to nominate an openly gay man to lead the army, CNN reports.

The former Arkansas governor said Saturday Obama's choice to nominate Eric K. Fanning, who has been a specialist on defense and national security issues for more than two decades in the Pentagon and Congress, was only to appease "America's homosexuals."

"It's clear President Obama is more interested in appeasing America's homosexuals than honoring America's heroes" Huckabee said in a statement released by his campaign. "Veterans suicide is out-of-control and military readiness is dangerously low, yet Obama is so obsessed with pandering to liberal interest groups he's nominated an openly gay civilian to run the Army. Homosexuality is not a job qualification. The U.S. military is designed to keep Americans safe and complete combat missions, not conduct social experiments."

If the Senate OKs Obama's nomination, Fanning would be the first out secretary of a U.S. military branch.

"Eric brings many years of proven experience and exceptional leadership to this new role," the President said in a statement Friday. "I am grateful for his commitment to our men and women in uniform, and I am confident he will help lead America's Soldiers with distinction."

CNN reports Fanning served under the secretary of the Army since June. Before that he was the chief of staff to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. He also served under secretary of the Air Force and deputy undersecretary of the Navy.

Huckabee wasn't the only GOP presidential candidate to comment on Fanning's nomination. CNN points out Sen. Ted Cruz also spoke about Fanning Saturday during the Faith and Freedom presidential forum in Iowa, saying he hoped Obama's move wasn't to "make a political statement."

"I certainly hope that the secretary of the Army is being nominated because the President wants the right person to defend our nation and not because he is looking to make a political statement on issues of sexual orientation unrelated to defending this nation and keeping us safe," Cruz said. "But as I said, I will wait until his confirmation hearing to assess his record on the merits."

Huckabee recently made headlines for his staunch support for embattled Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, who was jailed after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Huckabee held a rally for Davis the day she was released from jail, pledging his support to her and even saying he was willing to go to jail in her place.