American presidential hopeful MIKE HUCKABEE is using teenager JAMIE-LYNN SPEARS' pregnancy shocker as a talking point on the campaign trail.

The Republican Baptist minister, the former Arkansas Governor, stunned his supporters when he took a moment to discuss Spears' dilemma at a recent rally in Iowa.

He said, "It's a tragedy when a 16-year-old, who is not really prepared for all the responsibilities of adult life, is going to be now faced with all the responsibilities of honest-to-goodness adult life."

But he applauded the teenager for deciding to go ahead with plans to have the child.

He added, "I think that is the right decision, a good decision, and I respect that and appreciate it. I hope it is not an encouragement to other 16-year-olds who think that is the best course of action, but, at the same time, I'm not going to condemn her. I just hope that she will make another right decision and that's to give that child all the love and kindness and care that she can."