Huckabee mugs Romney
WASHINGTON DC: The story of the night so far is Mike Huckabee, is it not? He has plainly damaged Mitt Romney in the South and equally plainly he has stayed in the race with the intention of doing that. Feeling sorry for Mitt Romney is not, I admit, an easy task, but he has been mugged by a former Baptist minister, of that there is no doubt.
My question now: does Huckabee get a McCain VP call BUT with the proviso not that he pulls out (which would be the normal call) but that he STAYS IN THE RACE to see Romney off over the next month or so?
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Well, if Mike Huckabee is staying in this race just to destroy Mitt Romney I have to say that is very un-Christian of him. Likewise, if he is staying in this race just to get a VP nod that is also un-Christian of him. Then again, it was also un-Christian of Mike Huckabee to execute people in Arkansas but he still did it...
Give me a break. You want to know what his role is? He's running for president. The media and corporate America pre-ordained Romney and the voters are saying no, we will tell you who we like. That's exactly why a guy like Ron Paul is still around in-spite of all the ridicule and lack of time he receives from the media. Stop trying to make news and do your job report!
This is one piece of conventional wisdom whose case, at the very least, needs to be made thoughtfully. From much of the informal (non-scientific) polling that I've done, and my common sense, those voting for Huckabee either plain don't like Romney (yes, unfortunately, in part because he is Mormon) or prefer McCain first. Huckabee is carrying more of the social conservative vote, and not as much the hardcore small government, war hawk vote; and I am not sure what rational people have in saying those are votes that would otherwise go to Romney.
My hunch is that this is a tale spun by the conservative republican establishment that can't seem to come to terms with the fact that McCain is their front runner.
I'm all for democracy and the democratic process but is no-one else out there thinking that all the money the candidates pour into getting themselves elected (or not, as the case may be) could be better spent on social welfare programmes, feeding the poor, providing clean drinking water etc. The democratic process does not need this amount of money and showman ship thrown at it. There are people out there who DO need the money.
We mustn't forget that Huckabee has been getting a LOT of coverage on some of the late night US chat shows, which can't have harmed his cause (even if he has asked satirical comedian Stephen Colbert to be his running mate).
I just find it astonishing that Huckabee is drawing so many votes at the same time the vast majority of voters see the economy as the overwhelming issue.
Romney is absolutely the best person to deal with the economy.
McCain has none of the skill sets to meet the leading issues. Huckabee, even less so.
Only in the US.
Mugged is an understatement.
We all will be curious to see what Huckabee's payoff from McCain will be in the coming months for his collusive tactics. Will it be a VP call by McCain, as you suggested, or will it be something else, possibly a cabinet appointment (if McCain's elected). Or, could there be some type of monetary incentive - under the table, of course? God forbid. Time can only tell.
McCain may actually go for a third unnamed choice.
Both Huckabee and Romney have large sections of the Republican party who don't like them.
A well known loyal conservative will bring these factions together.
More likely Huckabee is taking votes from both candidates. I'm a social conservative who's voting for McCain, and I think Romney is the least preferable alternative for evangelical Christians, a very conservative constituency. Evangelicals tend to look at issues like abortion, where Romney appears to have no strong beliefs whatever, character, and other issues, often in that order. Despite Dobson, I think a fair number of evangelicals would, reluctantly, vote for McCain. A Huckabee VP choice would make them ever so much more willing to come out in November--judging by tonight, Huckabee is McCain's best chance to bring out the Republican vote in the South.
that's an interesting comment ...
i think everyone should have a fair chance at the primaries/caucuses ... everyone is fighting for people to vote for them ... so whether Mike really hurts Mitt ... who knows ... or ... for that matter how can Romney be sure that Huckabee's supporters will vote for him and not the other way around (if Mike had dropped out of the race)
daniel, college station ,tx
Huckabee has proven just how "Christian" he really is. He wraps himself in the robes of christ and then crawls into bed with McCain. I have been a republican all my life but I will vote for Hillary before I'll ever vote for the wolf in sheeps clothing McCain or his puppet Huckabee. The republican party as well as the country is headed for disaster. God help us all.
What strikes me most about this little post is that bbc's North American editor seems to know something that we are all in the dark on. The Reverend Mike Huckabee has renounced his ordination!
I think Justin meant to say the former Governor of Arkansas and current Southern Baptist preacher, Mike Huckabee.
The candidate who said he most certainly would try to amend the Constitution of the United States of America to fall in line with the words of the bible. Please try to be a little more accurate in your description of the Reverend Mike Huckabee.
It doesn't really matter, the Republicans can't win the next election so their leadership contest is just a sideshow. It is funny how the yanks keep moaning on about religion as though it were a good thing.
As a Democrat, I can only say that Republican voters are picking the most viable candidate for the campaign (I disagree with Seán's "sideshow" statement below). John McCain did not pander as much to the religious fanatics on America's lunatic fringe, who gave us Reagan twice and Bushes three times, and that makes him half-way reasonable. I think that is the big message on Super Tuesday. People sdo not want candidates who in some way, shape or form speak to Jesus personally.
The same seems to be going for the Democrats, who are not just embracing unsubstantiated change. But for the country, we need HRC then. No doubt in my mind. I live in Europe, and if America goes one step more into isolation, it will lose the last vestiges of support from the EU.
As a Yank not involved in the vote (I live in Oregon where the primary is in May) it is interesting to see outsiders view of this process... Maybe I'm naive, but I doubt that there's collusion between the McCain and Huckabee campaigns. As to the Christianness of Huckabee, can Christians be politicians? That itself could be an issue, but I suspect Huckabee is genuine believer who happens to be a politician. I think he really is giving it a go. I agree that Romney being a Mormon is a detriment among the socially conservative Christians who view Mormonism as heretical... But keep in mind that Republicans and Democrats, like Labour and Tories, have a collection of interests within them, probably more so in the US because it really is a two-party state, so primaries should be and is actually shaping up this year to be contentious battles for hearts and minds... Where have I heard that term before...
Let's quote Huckabee and put him in his own words:
"We are in this race to win despite the desperate efforts by the Romney campaign to try and say that "a vote for me is a vote for McCain" Actually, a vote for me is a vote for me! We are in it to win. The Romney campaign knows this and they are running scared."
(Mike Huckabee's blog 9.30am 02/02/08)
And on the media reaction to his win in WV:
"The media is having a hard time explaining our win in West Virginia and we are loving every minute of it. In fact, one reporter wrote about our win saying: "Romney loses West Virginia!" I guess it's hard to say "Huckabee wins" when you have been pretending this was a two man race."
(Mike Huckabee's blog 6.08pm 05/02/08)
This blog entry reads like a mixture of sour grapes of a Romney supporter and a negative report to try and justify having ruled out Huckabee and made it a two horse race.
Surely if McCain is the nominee, with his age being an issue the choice of VP will be more critical than usual - and I wonder if Huckabee would be just too conservative???
With McCain's age being a factor his VP choice will probably more of an issue than normal - and I wonder if Huckabee would be just too conservative....
I wonder if a more strategic choice would be someone who appeals to which ever group loses in the Democrat side, women, blacks....I wonder if someone like Condolisa Rice would do for either...??
I think the USA and the World has been hobbled by a overly religious White House for the past 8 years. It can do without Romney or Huckabee, thank you very much. I hope, really hope, that if McCain wins, Huckabee will NOT be his VP. If it's McCain vs. Clinton, where else are the evangelicals going to put their vote but McCain, anyway.
Executions are not un-Christian...as you will find in the Bible.
Applying logic and reason to poll results is funbut don't trick yourself into believing you know anything deeper than what the poll actually says.
Just because Huckabee apparently hurts Romney doesn't automatically mean McCain would lose otherwise. Remember McCain decisively won Florida to become the frontrunner when the moderate vote was split too (Giuliani). And don't forget the huge string of endorsements McCain has gotten.
Yeah maybe the analysts are right OR maybe they're just talking out of the wrong orifice again. I think the press is overeager to cast things into some kind of party infighting.
Condy for Veep would be an excellent choice by McCain.
Think about it!
Sean, I couldn't agree with you more. America appears to be headed towards theocracy.
I like Huckabee, I voted for him in the primaries, and I will vote for him for president. Good beliefs, and standing for what you believe in go a long way. Religion is a good thing.
I'd be surprised if McCain offers the VP slot to Huckabee - because although belligerent and apparently irascible, McCain does not seem to be a fool. If I'm wrong, I recommend some slogan such as the following for the Democrats:
"Do you really want Mike Huckabee to be a heartbeat from the Presidency?",
perhaps adding:
"especially when it's John McCain's heartbeat!"
Nick Gotts, you are spot on. I have never understood how boobis americanis would vote for a person for the highest office in the world that has a resume that would not qualify him for an average job anywhere. Huckabee has a degree in religion for Pete's sake, and he only learned about the Christian religion so that doesn't help him at all in dealing with the rest of the world in which Islam is a very high percentage.
Can we at least vote for someone that has a brain this time? Is that really too much to ask?
And how does McCain differ from Bush in any way. So why does anyone think McCain could change the course America is heading and we have a 19% approval rating that America is heading in the right direction?
I think that had the press been a liitle bit more FAIR with Huckabee, he would be right up there with McCain. I believe he will romp in Louisiana, and that might just give him a chance to win some other states. Afterall, he comes from Clinton country (Arkansas) and nhe is rather popular in the south. When all is said and done, he is certainly going to be a factor at the convention.
After reading up on McCain bio, it absolutly appalling that anyone would vote to put him into the office of President of the United States! As for Huckabee, his faith have slung mud at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for years. For those who don't know; the word "Mormon" is a derogitory term. All members are officially known as, "Latter-day Saints",and none of their clergy are paid.
Has anyone considered the problem that would arise if McCain would have a debilitating heart attack,or stroke, just after he is chosen as the Republican party's choice. The chances of this happening are extremely high, due to his age, life style, and drinking. I'm 84 and most of my friends crashed in their 70's.
Huckabee is the only candidate that I can vote for. This speculation about other motives for his staying in the race is just nonsense. There are major differences in their stands on abortion, gay marriage and stem cell research. I will be voting for Huckabee in November, even if I have to write his name in. It's GOT TO BE HUCKABEE!
Huckabee is definitely playing the spoiler. To my way of thinking he has worn out his faith is my life quote. What he has done in collaboration with McCain is as far from the Christian principles he spouts as can be. Since we have had people in Congress for years of the Mormon faith, that argument doesn't wash. The Democratic Majority leader in the Senate is a Mormon. The fact is that the media really disliked Romeny for some reason and made sure that no one else did either. The media view Huckabee as a character who injects hokey humor into interviews and debates giving them something to laugh at, but they don't consider him as a legitimate candidate. These are my personal feelings and how I feel about this whole debacle.
Dear Justin,
It would not surprise me much if Sen. Obama became the president of America. He stands as a figure who will initiate positive change in the lives of not only Americans, but Africans as well. He makes me think of heroes like Martin Luther King Jnr.; the man with the vision and Nelson Mandela, the man with a mission. The situation in America now can undoubtedly be summarized as
what will soon happen in South Africa;Whites wanting a change in Africa and Blacks wanting a change in America.
I sincerely trust that God has chosen a Leader for America, and that is no other person but a seemingly unknown
African, just like me, in the person of Barack Obama. Praise God!!!