Posted on 02/10/2008 11:02:51 AM PST by LibertarianLiz
February 10, 2008- Seattle, WashingtonNews
Huckabee won't concede Washington state, cites 'legal issues'
Story Updated: Feb 10, 2008 at 10:02 AM PST
By KOMO Staff & News Services
SEATTLE - Republican Mike Huckabee says he's not ready to concede Washington state, even though the state Republican Party has declared Arizona Sen. John McCain the winner of Saturday's caucuses.
On NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday morning, the former Arkansas governor said his campaign is looking into some legal issues, without going into specifics.
With 87 percent of GOP precincts reporting statewide, McCain leads the GOP field with 25.5 percent of delegates while Huckabee took 23.7 percent - a difference of only 1.8 percent.
State Republicans say the remainder of the caucus votes will not be counted until Monday.
Texas Congressman Ron Paul 20.6 percent of the GOP vote, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won 16.5 percent.
Approximately 12.7 percent of delegates reported their preference as "uncommitted", while another 1.1 percent reported their preference as "other."
The division among Republicans was reflected in their comments at caucuses and a comparatively light turnout, when compared with the Democratic caucuses.
Even in heavily Republican Lewis County, the Republican caucuses at W.F. West High School in Chehalis drew only about 15 people, compared to more than 160 at a Democratic caucus elsewhere in the school.
"McCain is a bit wishy-washy. I'm not sure where he stands from day-to-day," said Maria Easley, a 40-year-old financial analyst from Chehalis, who was reluctantly supporting McCain. "But I don't think that Huckabee can go the distance."
Paul, whose libertarian views and anti-war stance have drawn a strong following in Washington, was running a strong third.
"People are really, really ready to have someone who is a serious conservative, a real conservative," said Maureen Moore, state coordinator for Paul's campaign. "And that's who Ron Paul is."
Especially considering the State of Washington’s recent history of voting irregularities.
Good for him is right. Anyone but McAmnesty!
What color is the sky?
In which direction does the sun come up each morning?
How many in a dozen?
Does Paul have a snowball's chance in hell?
:}
Who were the 12000 0r so votes for that were tossed out? If McCain was an obvious winner it would have been called last night.
“”That may be part of the reason in Washington but turnout has been very scary for the GOP all season long. I saw Newt yesterday addressing CPAC and he mentioned that on Super Tuesday 14.8 million democrats voted vs 9.3 in the GOP (numbers may be a lttile off). That’s a huge swing. Compare that to the amounts of money raised by their candidates compared to the paltry sums our guys raised and we have a lot to worry about in November.””
I’m suspect that the big money and big turnout is due to the passionate contest between the first woman vs the first black (as serious contenders), and that in the fall, whichever side loses gets mad and stays home.
If they’re raising lots more money, that’s another good reason to support Huck, he sure can stretch a dollar :) :)
Agreed. However what the media is reporting just a beauty contest, the real question is who got the most delegates. From some reports Paul may have taken that.
Really the only chance of defeating McCain is a brokered convention. However the base has to be careful not to give Huckabee the win in so doing. But then who do they nominate since it obviously wont be Paul?
I’ll second that.
I was talking to a man about the high Paul turn out in my caucus and he said that the area always goes for the outsider. In this case the vote was split between Paul and Huckabee. He said they went for Pat Robertson in ‘88, Keyes in 2000.
“He’s a conservative pacifist. He is downright saintly in the consistency of his principles. If Huckabee drops out before the convention, Paul gets my support. “
I gain more respect for Ron Paul each day. He is stalwart, sincere, and has engendered more passion (among young voters, which is so important) than any other candidate.
One thing is clear: McCain isn’t unifying anything.
“Remember hes only doing this to help McCain /sarc... “
When are we going to see Huck take some viper-swipes at McCain? My popcorn has long been cold.....
Which for some of the so called conservative base may be a good thing. I say so called because I disagree with a few points some state as being conservative. Another discussion another day.
Huck said the other day that he believes the American people appreciate the civility, and that’s why they are the last two standing. I know I do.
He said he’s saving the fireworks for the other side, in the fall.
Mitt should transfer his 16.5% of voters over to Huck.
Payback for McLame's transfer of votes to Huck in the West Virginia primary.
McLame effectively knee-capped Romney with that move and pretty much finished him off.
Payback could be sweet if Huck ends up with 40% of the vote to McCain's 25%--and a big Huckabee win in Washington.
I wouldn't call him a pacifist. He believes in self defense. He voted to go into Afghanistan and believes in a strong defense if I remember correctly. He just doesn't agree that going into Iraq was self defense. It's too bad because that seems to be the main sticking point with him for a lot of people.
From what little I have heard I think he is more knowledgeable on the economy then any of the other candidates and his small government and fiscal responsibility ideas are just what this country needs IMO.
Why can't we find someone with those ideas but willing to stay in Iraq? Or is it just that fiscal responsibility and dumping a trillion borrowed dollars into Iraq don't mix? Anyone have any ideas on who to nominate at a brokered convention?
He still has to talk with Christine Gregoire to get some ideas. LOL.
Good for him.
This marks him as NOT a quiter like Romney and Thompson.
FNC & CNN just announced Huckabee is challenging the WA. results, sending in lawyers. What’s going on? I’ve been out of news range all day.
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