WASHINGTON (CNN) -- They may hold vastly different political views, but former Gov. Mike Huckabee indicated Tuesday he would stress some of the same themes in his presidential bid as fellow Arkansas governor and Hope native Bill Clinton did fifteen years ago.

In an interview with CNN on the day he formally filed papers for a presidential exploratory committee, Hucakbee said his humble background distinguishes himself from the rest of the crowded presidential field.

"I bring the sense of a person who didn't grow up with privilege, but grew up where it is tough coming up," Huckabee told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "I think I relate to the average American who knows what it's like to live barely making it to the next rent check."

Then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton repeatedly stressed his modest upbringing in Hope, Arkansas during his successful 1992 presidential campaign.