Huckabee, the last of McCain’s major opponents to quit the primary, appeared on behalf of the presumptive Republican nominee for the first time since dropping out of the race.

In an interview with MSNBC, the former governor said he is “absolutely” comfortable in the role of surrogate, adding that “it’s very important for people to see that there’s going to be a dramatic contrast between Sen. McCain’s vision of America and what either of the Democrats propose.”

Huckabee said McCain benefits from the infighting between Sens. Barack Obama (Ill.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), who continue their bruising battle for the Democratic nomination.

“If you're a Republican, you like knowing that the other side is making it very easy for people to love the Republican nominee and hard to love the Democrat nominee regardless,” Huckabee said, adding, “But as an American, you really hope that the process will end up becoming more civil and will focus on the real issues.”

He also noted that the Democratic battle gives McCain a chance to fill his campaign coffers because Obama and Clinton are spending a lot of the money to defeat each other.