Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee hopes to make his mark as the next presidential candidate from the state to surprise political observers and capture his party's nomination for president. Though Huckabee shares the same hometown birthplace as ex-President Bill Clinton, the two can't be further apart on abortion.

As several other potential Republican presidential candidates have done, Huckabee filed the papers to create an exploratory committee and gauge the possible support he could generate.

"I think this is an opportunity to show the American dream is still alive and there's hope and optimism that can be awakened in a lot of people's lives if they think that a person like me can run and actually become president," Huckabee told The Associated Press.