Former Governor of Arkansas and 2008 presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee was the keynote speaker in the 2013 Freedom Banquet at the Fort Sill Patriot Club. The former governor is also the host of his own syndicated radio program as well as a TV program that airs on FOX News.

His keynote address discussed the importance of leadership and the quality of leadership military members bring to communities around the nation.

Huckabee believes that leadership is something that is needed to restore America’s economic future.

“True leadership is not about being served, it’s about serving others,” Huckabee said. “The military is a perfect example of what that means.”

Before delivering his keynote speech, Huckabee shared some of thoughts on the current state of the union in the aftermath of the government shutdown.

Huckabee stated that he believes today’s political leaders are not showing that quality of leadership of serving the people. He also thinks it is that reason the approval ratings are so low.

He is also not satisfied with how both parties in congress are not working together on coming up with legislation.

"Nobody is going to get everything that he or she wants," he said. "Everyone is going to have to make some concessions."

The former governor cited the leadership of former president Bill Clinton. Huckabee states that Clinton knew he would not get everything he wanted when negotiating legislation. He stated Clinton would work with both parties to achieve something that would satisfy not only the leaders, but would benefit the people as well. Huckabee notes it is that very quality of leadership he has not yet seen in Obama.

The radio and television host also had a strong opinion on the struggling health.gov website.

"It's worse than embarrassing and the worst part about it is that we're going to commit $634 million of tax money to a website that's a total failure," Huckabee said. "We've shoved this at the American people and people that were completely satisfied with their health insurance now are going to be paying sometimes two, four times what they were paying and have less coverage."

A portion of the evening’s event will be donated to Operation Homefront in their efforts to provide financial assistance to military families and wounded warriors. Five students from military families will also receive a scholarship to the college or university of their choice.

More From 1073 Popcrush