Huckabee continues to be tone deaf. But, I'm not sure that isn't on purpose. He is way behind in the national polls. I haven't seen what he's doing in Iowa, but, I suspect they mirror the national polls. Huckabee thought he could do well in Iowa and South Carolina and turn that into book sales. Now he's been reduced to making stupid comments in a desperate attempt to get attention.
Here's one of the most basic rules in politics: Don't piss off dog/cat lovers, or fans of the local sports team. It wasn't funny, and in the end he produces a visceral reaction from people who love their own pets. WTF is he thinking?