Mike Huckabee: McCain-lover, Mitt-killer

The Politico ^ | 1/21/08

[Mr. Brightside]

Mike Huckabee: McCain-lover, Mitt-killer

COLUMBIA, S.C.—For people reading between the lines, Mike Huckabee’s concession speech here Saturday night dropped some enticing hints that his presidential campaign now has an agenda other than getting elected president.

Huckabee’s new role: Mitt-killer.

The former Arkansas governor threw air kisses on primary night to winner John McCain, praising him for “running a civil and a good and a decent campaign.”

Huckabee did not mention Romney in his concession statement Saturday. But Huckabee and his aides have barely disguised their disdain for Romney, whose chameleon-like stance on issues and free-spending negative ad campaign have made him the most unpopular candidate among his GOP rivals.

Could Huckabee be angling for the number-two spot on McCain’s ticket, or a cabinet position in a McCain administration?

Now that the race is headed to a critical showdown in Florida, Huckabee is well-positioned to play the same spoiler role that Thompson did in South Carolina. Only registered Republicans can participate in Florida—no independents, who gave McCain a boost in New Hampshire and South Carolinia. These rules give more leverage to social conservatives, who are unlikely to back Rudy Giuliani under any circumstances but might be enticed into backing Romney if they had no Huckabee alternative.

“In Florida, McCain is desperate to keep conservative Republicans from coalescing around another candidate, and the best way to prevent it is to have the GOP vote fractured,” said University of Virginia political science professor Larry Sabato. “Huckabee knows that by keeping his candidacy alive, he’s potentially helping McCain win another split plurality vote. McCain knows it, too. Gratitude will follow—but whether that includes the vice presidency is anybody’s guess.”

[ergonomic]

I like Huckabee

[no dems]

I hope they get smart enough to know VP ain’t no big deal...

In 1964, after the Primaries, JFK & LBJ hated each other. But, JFK picked LBJ as his running mate. Had he not, he'd never, never, never been in the Oval Office. Ol' Lyndon carried the day for Kennedy in the South in a very, very, very close election. Kennedy won by 1 vote per precinct nationwide.

The VEEP choice can help or kill a candidate; especially as close as elections are today with an evenly divided electorate.

[OB1kNOb]

Could Huckabee be angling for the number-two spot on McCain’s ticket,...

I've been saying the Huckster was really shooting for the VP slot from the day he entered the race. Voters beware!

[no dems]

I like Huckabee

In this entire process, you are the first FREEPER I've seen who has openly admitted to liking Huckabee. Hmmmmm.

Maybe a ground-swell of support is looming for the Huckster. God knows there aren't enough FREEPERS, and/or Conservatives, left in the world to help a guy like Fred Thompson win in a "Conservative" State like SC. So, they must be going moderate or crazy.

[ergonomic]

Crazy

[britt reed]

I don’t believe JFK hated ANYBODY after 11-22-63. You may want to “google” that date’s significance to JFK.

[citizen]

The sideshow Huckster gets more sleazy each passing day. He and McCain are certainly two snakes in a bag.

[omega4179]

Wheres he going to get the money to continue his “anti mitt” campaign?

[Fred]

post to 9

A bunch of Huckers

[John D]

There seems to be reason to think that both Thompson and Huckabee would try to line up behind McCain for president. In my opinion, that will put a Democrat in the White House.

Of course it would put a democrat in the White House. If McCrazy won the nomination it would be a democrat running against a democrat in the general election.

[John D]

In 1964, after the Primaries, JFK & LBJ hated each other.

By 1964 I do not think JFK hated anybody.

[Badeye]

Translation;

Liberals like McCain over Romney.

[TheCornerOffice]

This is so funny... Jonathan Martin has now switched from saying Fred is a stalking horse to saying that Huckabee is McCain’s stalking horse. Does this guy think he’ll have any credibility left after the elections after these kinds of claims?

Go, Fred! Don’t let the media decide who the Republican nominee will be! Let’s take it all the way to the convention.

A Vote for Fred is a Vote for Conservatism!

[yoe]

No one needs to get behind McCain unless they stand for the ACLU, Global Warming…he and Senator Clinton flew over the artic during AUGUST to see GW for them selves…(groan); for amnesty, botched CFR, soft on torture and Rules of Engagement, little respect for 'conservatives', and on and on and on.

It should be easy to stand in front of John...look beyond his recognized patriotism and realize he was one among thousands of POWs...being one doesn't make you a military expert.

[Colofornian]

Re: your post #10: Romney claims to be a future-god on the level of Jesus Christ & you quote Matthew 24 aimed at Huckabee? How bizarre. How bizarre.

[Nephi]

Oh good, the Huckster has telegraphed that a vote for him is essentially a vote for McInsane. Break out the popcorn cookers and squirrels!

[HereInTheHeartland]

Mitt and Rudi are the two I would least like to see..

Honestly none of them excite me. But after 4 years of being president, someone could look very different.

[cinives]

Me too, altho Guiliani is a close second.

[cinives]

You prefer Huck to Romney ?

I can live with Romney as a candidate; the Huckster will be a disaster for Republicans the same as McCain and Guiliani.

[HereInTheHeartland]

“You prefer Huck to Romney ?’

I dislike Romney. We would have no idea what we would get with Romney.
He was very liberal as governor, and has campaigned as a conservative.
I would see him very willing to compromise principals when he goes up against Pelosi.