Huckabee says his GOP presidential bid isn't on the ropes

AP on Bakersfield Californian ^ | 1/30/08 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee said Wednesday he has no intention of following Rudy Giuliani's planned exit from the GOP race and he dismissed suggestions that his candidacy could split the conservative vote and help rival Sen. John McCain.

With a narrowing Republican field, Huckabee could draw votes from Mitt Romney because of his strong support among the religious right - a possible boost for McCain.

"If the true conservatives are looking for a true conservative, they'll pick me. Romney's record is not a conservative record, his rhetoric is not conservative, even with what he's said and done," Huckabee said.

Huckabee surprised by winning the Iowa caucus, but has little money and finished a distant fourth in Florida.

The former Arkansas governor and Baptist preacher was in Newport Beach for a fundraiser at a supporter's home before traveling to Los Angeles for an Americans of Faith event and to Simi Valley for the GOP presidential debate.

Huckabee also pledged not to drop out of the race, despite his poor showing in recent primaries. He said he would focus his campaign on Southern states that are slated for the Tuesday round of primaries.

"Those are all states where we believe we are not only in play, but we are poised to win," he said.

"This boy isn't on the ropes. There's a saying in the South: 'It ain't the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog,'" Huckabee said.

His morning fundraiser in Newport Beach netted more than $100,000, according to organizers.

"Our campaign is so frugal we could go a month on that," Huckabee quipped to about 200 boisterous supporters and volunteers.

Huckabee also was schedule to attend a dinner fundraiser in Thousand Oaks.

[Preachin']

“I blame Huck. He could have helped Mitt tremendously by demonstrating how an evangelical Christian can cross religious boundaries and support a better-qualified Mormon.”

Mitt could have helped himself by not signing into law a government health care package.

Okay... let’s stop pretending Mitt is a conservative. For God’s sake, he was the governor of Massachusetts.