We learned from the front page of this morning's Wheeling Intelligencer that the former governor of Arkansas and twice Republican candidate for president will give the final address at a health forum sponsored by the Health Plan:

Mike Huckabee, a former Republican presidential candidate and former governor of Arkansas, is scheduled to speak today at The Health Plan’s first Health Care Symposium at Oglebay Park.

His address is titled, “What Politicians Don’t Know About Health Care (And It’s Making America Sick).” Huckabee is set to be the final speaker for the two-day event.

The symposium has drawn about 200 invited guests from throughout the region and across the nation. Participants represent The Health Plan’s self-funded clients (including insurance brokers and agents), key national vendors and network partners.

My first reaction was "why Huckabee?" Okay, he's a former politician but there are a lot of those around. My curiosity got the better of me and so I went searching for an answer. Maybe Huckabee really is an expert on health care? Not that I could find. Perhaps he played a key role in the passage of some health care regulation? No. Is there anything in his background or experience that makes him uniquely (or even somewhat) qualified to lecture the 200 invited guests? Huckabee was governor of Arkansas until 2007 and then unsuccessfully ran for president. Here's Wikipedia's description from that point:

Beginning in 2008, Huckabee hosted the Fox News Channel talk show Huckabee, ending the show in January 2015 in order to explore a potential bid for the presidency.[3] From April 2012 through December 2013, he hosted a daily radio program, The Mike Huckabee Show, on weekday afternoons for Cumulus Media Networks.[4] Huckabee is the author of several best-selling books, an ordained Southern Baptist minister noted for his evangelical views,[5] a musician, and a public speaker. He is also a political commentator on The Huckabee Report.[6]

Still nothing that would make him the choice for the final speech at a health care conference. In searching his views on last year's health care debate, however, I did find that he criticized Republican proposals to shift Medicaid back to the states. But when the effort to kill Obamacare failed, he drew what I believe is a bizarre conclusion. From The Hill:

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) on Friday called for the repeal of the 17th Amendment and the return to senators selected by state legislatures after the Senate GOP's effort to repeal and replace ObamaCare died in a late-night vote.

The 17th Amendment was ratified in 1913 and established the popular election of senators. Previously, senators were elected by state legislatures.

(You'll have to do your own research on Huckabee's reasoning on this one -- I don't have the time or disk space to explain it.)

Why Huckabee? I don't know. Perhaps he's contemplating yet another run for the presidency and he offered to speak for free.

Huckabee serendipity

In researching Huckabee's health care experience, I discovered that the former governor and Fox News host has made quite a name for himself on Twitter. Here's a sample:

I trust @BernieSanders with my tax dollars like I trust a North Korean chef with my labrador! #DemDebate

— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) October 14, 2015

Churchill was hated by his own party, opposition party, and press. Feared by King as reckless, and despised for his bluntness. But unlike Neville Chamberlain, he didn't retreat. We had a Chamberlain for 8 yrs; in @realDonaldTrump we have a Churchill.

— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) December 26, 2017

Had a colonoscopy today. My doctor was actually Russian. Now THAT is what I call RUSSIAN MEDDLING! They put me to sleep w/ same stuff Michael Jackon used. When I woke up, I MOON-walked right out of the hospital!

— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) April 3, 2018

Hey, maybe that's why he was invited!