TakeYourMedicine

Former Price is Right host Bob Barker threw his hat into the race for the Republican presidential nomination today.

"Since no candidate has scored a clear connection with Republican voters, I am declaring my intention to run for the presidency," Barker declared.

"He certainly is an old, very white man," mused one bystander in the crowd gathered outside Barker's campaign headquarters. "He has more name recognition than Fred Thompson, and he's shown consistency of sorts. He's been showing up to do those game shows for over 30 years."

Barker announced that he was a born-again Christian and a family values candidate, a statement that drew sharp criticism from rival Mike Huckabee. "This is the first we've ever heard about Barker's religious views. And what about that sexual harassment deal a few years back?"

When asked about Huckabee's charges, Barker had two responses. "That whole thing was before I asked Jesus to come into my life as a personal savior. Anyway, who's heard of Mike Huckabee outside Arkansas?"

Regular viewers of the Price is Right said they would welcome a Barker candidacy. "He gives you stuff if you just know the price of things," one said. "The other candidates don't even know how much a quart of milk costs. And they certainly don't give you stuff."

Barker stated that, unlike Rudy Giulani, he would be present for the Iowa caucuses. "We've had many, many contestants from Iowa on the Price Is Right," he said, "and they've done very well. Now it will be their turn to give something back."