As Huckabee Pulls Ad, Rollins, For Once, Must Pull a Punch

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Huckabee Press Conference

Highlights from Mike Huckabee's press conference on Dec. 31, during which he announces he's pulling an attack ad against Mitt Romney.

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Rollins remains a true believer in the Reagan Revolution. A street fighter and aspiring boxer from a tough neighborhood in Vallejo, Calif., he worked his way through statewide politics before helping the former actor vault his way to national prominence. But he's taken his own path more often than not, which some within the party still bristle at.

Last year, during her unsuccessful bid for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in New York, Kathleen "KT" McFarland received a letter from then-state GOP Chairman Stephen Minarik urging her to "dump Ed Rollins" if she wanted to run a serious campaign.

"A review of Mr. Rollins' own words finds a wake of negative and destructive commentary on Republican officials and candidates across the nation," Minarik wrote.

But Rollins feels secure in the post he has with Huckabee. "I'm here and they're happy to have me," the old hand says.

"There's still a very tough campaign. Romney's not going to change his tactics. . . . If we win here with a positive message, then we'll continue with the positive message. But I reserve the opportunity to go back to my candidate every day and say, 'I've been in this business a long time. I've been around the track. This is the best advice I can give you.' "

Staff writer Michael D. Shear contributed to this article.