“My question is, why is Rick even putting forth the effort? Does he seriously think he has a chance?”
Rick is a member of the elite group that self-identify as “former Presidential candidates.”
It is a career path, which leads to a nice six-figure income and lifestyle, of TV appearances, book, speaking engagements, etc.
The same people that have or would vote for him, for his theocratic political philosophy, will effectively support him indefinitely.
Huckabee will be going back to it, also. So in 2020 do Santorum, Huck, Fiorina, Carson, Perry, Walker, Cain, Gingrich, Bush, Christie, Pataki, Jinhdal, Rand Paul, Lindsey Graham, maybe Ron Paul, Pat Buchanan, and who know who else come out and clog up the GOP process?
Will it start in 2018? Will there get to be 20 candidates?
You know, the thought of having to look at those same faces over and over again...
But I see your point.