Chuck Norris must be too busy grooming the beard that hides his third fist. Why else would he not be at the Republican National Convention with his favorite GOP candidate, Mike Huckabee?

Norris was a constant at Huckabee’s side during Huckabee’s presidential run earlier this year. The actor and star of the television show “Walker, Texas Ranger,” was a huge attention-getter when he criss-crossed the country with the former Arkansas governor.

Some Norris fans even acknowledged coming to a Huckabee rally only to see their action movie hero, Norris.

Huckabee liked to kid that Norris would be his secretary of defense and another supporter, pro wrestler Ric Flair, his secretary of homeland security if he won the presidency.

Norris also was a safe bet to keep Huckabee haters at a distance, lest he have to show off some of his mad tae kwon do skills. Norris is a black belt.

Sarah Huckabee, director of her father’s political action committee, has security covered during the convention.

“I’m filling in for Chuck this week,” she said.

Arkansas delegates to the Republican National Convention were up extra early on this Labor Day holiday to kick off convention week with a breakfast in honor of former Gov. Mike Huckabee.

For Huckabee, it’s the first of about 20 speeches this week to state delegations from across the country. After the breakfast, it’s off to a luncheon with New Jersey delegates at noon.

He has a prime time convention speaking slot scheduled for Tuesday. That may change, though, as GOP officials monitor Hurricane Gustav.

The convention will operate on a truncated schedule today with only official business being conducted. If the event resumes in full Tuesday, it’s likely many speakers whose remarks were postponed today will be rescheduled then.

Thus, Huckabee’s speech may be pushed back to Wednesday, said Sarah Huckabee, his daughter and director of Huckabee’s political action committee.

Sarah Huckabee herself is the speaker at a Young Republicans’ lunch today at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Minneapolis.

Huckabee won the Arkansas presidential primary going away and all but two of the state’s 37 delegates are pledged to him.

The former governor endorsed presumptive presidential nominee John McCain after losing to him in the delegate race.