Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee told reporters in Washington today that he really, really likes Mormons.

"Anyone who says that I have this anti-Mormon prejudice is absolutely off the mark. And it has no basis whatsoever."

The former Arkansas governor, talking to reporters over breakfast, blamed a misconception that he disapproves of Mormon theology on a single remark he made to The New York Times Magazine.

According to NYTimes Magazine writer Zev Chafets:

I asked Huckabee, who describes himself as the only Republican candidate with a degree in theology, if he considered Mormonism a cult or a religion. "I think it’s a religion," he said. "I really don’t know much about it."
I was about to jot down this piece of boilerplate when Huckabee surprised me with a question of his own: ‘‘Don’t Mormons,’’ he asked in an innocent voice, ‘‘believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers?’’

The Jesus-Satan family tree comment reacquainted evangelical Christians with their rift with Mormons. Huckabee also told the reporters Mitt Romney's being a Mormon should not have been a factor in the primaries. No, really.

"I have absolutely defended that and said I would be appalled if anyone voted for him or against him or for me or against me solely on the basis of religious affiliation." Huck told The Salt Lake Tribune.