Mike Huckabee won five races last night. Mitt Romney won seven. Mike Huckabee has 190 delegates. Mitt Romney has 269 [see results here]. The only closed Deep South state left on the primary calendar is Mississippi. Romney has the message and money to compete across the USA.
So when Huckabee claims it's now a two-man race between McCain and himself, a journalist would surely challenge him on it, no? No. Not Robin Roberts, at least. To the contrary, she bought into his logic to the extent of asking only about his strategy going forward.
There were also some intriguing comments from Huckabee about allegations of backroom West Virginia deals and the importance of politesse . . .
View video here.
ROBIN ROBERTS: Congratulations on taking five states last night, and you say it is now a two-man race between you and John McCain, but of course he does have a commanding lead, by more than two-to-one, so what is your strategy now?
MIKE HUCKABEE: We've got to win a lot of delegates.
Hmm, win a lot of delegates. Great strategy!
Next, check out Huck's response to Robin's questioning on the West Virginia caucus and see if he left himself some wiggle room.
ROBERTS: You really got the ball rolling in West Virginia, but you know that Romney said that you cut a deal; that your campaign cut a deal with McCain supporters. Did you cut a deal?
HUCKABEE: No, we didn't. Here's the thing. I never talked to Senator McCain; I never talked to his people about West Virginia.
On the one hand, Huckabee did say that "we didn't" cut a deal, implying his entire campaign. But when it got down to specifics, he said "I" never talked to McCain or his people about West Virginia. Don't you wish Robin had asked whether any of Huck's people had spoken with the McCain camp?
And a bit later . . .
HUCKABEE: We [McCain and himself] do have great respect for each other and genuinely like each other. A lot of it is because I think both of us want to see the whole political process elevated to a more civil level of discourse.
Really? From the candidate who made the most vulgar comment yet in this campaign? And McCain, the man famous for cursing his fellow Republicans? Some "civil level."
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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I about choked
February 6, 2008 - 13:15 ET by SouthJersey1953when Huck said that he and McCain were above the mudslingin' Hmmm, that is quite powerful Koolaid John has fed you Mike.... Unless He thinks that McLame calling other people names is okay as long as he is civil to Huck
No RINOs in '08
the Socialist Christian way
February 6, 2008 - 13:25 ET by candanceLiberal Christians today seem to be acting on one philosophy: it's okay to insult someone as long as they're a pagan.
I think I'll just puke!
February 6, 2008 - 17:02 ET by jefflebowskiHucksterbee has his head so far up McPain's @#$ that he hasn't seen the sun for months! He hates Romney for lots of reasons, the most pressing is that he is a Baptist preacher who hates Mormons. Baptists seem to hate everyone who isn't exactly like them IMHO.
Has NB become "slam MH"
February 6, 2008 - 13:24 ET by Brad999Has this site become a "lets promote Romney and slam every other Republican in the race" site? There are so many distortions floating around and so many lies put out and promoted by the news media, including the conservative media. What ever happened to the neutrality of the media? Too much is being read into the statements that Huckabee makes, especially with the earlier blog about how he said he would run as VP with McCain. He clearly did not say that, and to get that conclusion from what he said requires one to read into his statement and make it more than what is there.
- Every American should seek to find the truth themselves, instead of blindly following and believing the news media and the talking heads. This includes FOX, Rush, Ann Coulter and many more; not just the liberal media.
Regarding the VP spot, he
February 6, 2008 - 13:26 ET by Mark FinkelsteinRegarding the VP spot, he said: "nobody ever turns it down."
How do you read that other than as admitting he'd accept it?
we can't help it that the
February 6, 2008 - 13:42 ET by TruthMongerwe can't help it that the media is so biased against mitt:)
Wake up Brad - this site is about media bias and the media love
February 6, 2008 - 13:48 ET by Dee BunkMcCain and Huck. That should give a conservative person a clue that they are not conservative. What would anyone complain about with Huck and McCain's coverage? There will be be plenty of time in the General when they turn on McCain. McCain will then be the more conservative candidate. Now he and Huck are the most liberal.
It's a fine old tradition
February 6, 2008 - 14:06 ET by Jack BauerIt's a fine old tradition to be voting AGINST someone, rather than FOR the other candidate.
I think you'll find most conservatives here have settled on Mitt as opposed to NONE OF THE ABOVE.
They are also a tad peeved at having been poked in the eye by Juan McCain for the past eight years just because he could.
Brad you are an IDIOT. How
February 7, 2008 - 13:57 ET by Six String SpiffBrad you are an IDIOT. How can we 'exaggerate' things McCain and Huckabee say when what they've said spits right in the eyes of REAL CONSERVATIVES!? Are you blind? Every time that piece of garbage McCain 'reaches across the isle', WE have to grab our ankles. As for that loud mouth bible thumper, Huckabee, he is the epitome of the liberal baptist. IE A Southern Fried DOUCHE. So THESE are my choices? Romney's 'Krypyonite' was the small fact that he is a mormon.. What a really STUPID thing to dislike somebody for. If anyone is misinformed it is YOU. thank you for voting for McCain. Thank you for keeping our borders WIDE open. Thank you for your contribution of forever changing the GOP into a bunch 'compromising' cowards. THAT"S what McCain is. This is a waste of my time, as you have your head firmly planted up your ass.
Elevate the discourse? You have got to be kidding Huck
February 6, 2008 - 13:43 ET by Dee BunkHuckabee and McCain have been using dirty tricks and smear tactics. They encourage people not like someone because of their religion (and represent their religion incorrectly). They bring up ridiculous claims that they know are false right before the election and they collude with dirty tricks in West VA.
What has Romney done other than talk about McCains record and tell Huck that he is splitting the vote?
Huckster
February 6, 2008 - 14:28 ET by voodoodaddyWhen will the Huckster just admit he does not have a chance in heck of winning and go home and feed his stapled stomach.
I never thought this would
February 6, 2008 - 14:31 ET by fitzfongI never thought this would be possible, but we've finally found a politician who's a more duplicitous scumbag than Bill Clinton is...his name is Mike Huckabee.
McCain = Bill Clinton without the charisma
February 6, 2008 - 14:45 ET by Dee BunkHuckabee is just trying to be relevant and I think he's a much more decent person than McCain.
Dee -- but at least he has
February 6, 2008 - 14:53 ET by Jack BauerDee -- but at least he has got his pants.
Jack - only because his pants cover his depends
February 6, 2008 - 15:08 ET by Dee BunkJack - only because his pants cover his depends
Ouch... now that's
February 6, 2008 - 15:11 ET by Jack BauerOuch... now that's really below the belt. Low blow.
I know Jack I can be very immature. McCain is worse
February 6, 2008 - 15:20 ET by Dee Bunkthan Clinton. Clinton at least was for Free trade.
ha fitz
February 6, 2008 - 15:03 ET by candanceHuck's new nickname: Slick Mikey
"The Sham from Hope"? "The
February 6, 2008 - 15:25 ET by fitzfong"The Sham from Hope"? "The Man's a Dope"?
How the hell do you not
February 6, 2008 - 15:48 ET by motherbeltHow the hell do you not follow up on an answer like that?
It's easy, if you believe it yourself.
Robin Roberts is a pathetic excuse for a "journalist." She had more credibility when I saw her on the Food Network, cooking with Emeril. She might want to think about switching.
Reluctant Conclusion
February 6, 2008 - 18:26 ET by CaringwhiteguyIt's pretty obvious that Evangelicals in the Republican Party are in some respects as intolerant of others' religious beliefs as some in radical Islam. The Huckster phenomenon is more about stopping the Mormon than supporting the Evangelical or helping McCain. Very few people will admit this and some will chastise me, but Evangelical intolerance hurt Romney more than anything else.
Some of us have been saying that for awhile, CWG
February 6, 2008 - 18:34 ET by RJ...about the REAL reason Huckabee is in the race.
But I would like to point out that there's a significant percentage of evangelicals who voted for Romney in the primarys....with Romney out-pulling Huckabee from that demographic (but I don't know about Super Tuesday).
Still, I agree that it's the evangelicals, through Huckabee, who have created the lead for McCain.
"McCain has learned to love the establishment more than he loves conservatives." -Peggy Noonan
RJ, Weren't you the one
February 6, 2008 - 18:40 ET by LeonRJ,
Weren't you the one that told me I was wrong when I said Romney's Mormon status would be a major negative for evangelical voters?
Yes, you were.
Looks like you agree with me now. Duly noted.
You're right some of us have been saying this for a while. Just not you.
"for evangelical voters?"
February 6, 2008 - 18:45 ET by RJI don't think so, leon. I've been pretty clear about the effect of evangelicals, pro and con, on the race.
"I really like Mike Huckabee." -uber lib Mika Brezinski
OK RJ. Ok. Perception
February 6, 2008 - 18:48 ET by LeonOK RJ.
Ok. Perception is reality.
2 months or so ago you told me I was crazy to even suggest that Romney's Mormon status would affect evangelicals voting decisions.
Now you say it does. You're selective memory is at work again. It's hilarious to watch.
You're confused, leon
February 6, 2008 - 18:56 ET by RJ...or, more likely, just making stuff up again. ;^>
But you should at least try to make your fabrications somewhat logical. For many months, I've been engaged in frequent battles with evangelicals on this board who were attacking Romney because of his religion.
So why would I also claim their attitude would not affect their voting decisions?
"He was a would-be sharp operator who lacked for the satisfaction of his ambition only the quality of sharpness..." -Michael Chabon, "Gentlemen of the Road"
Point Well-taken
February 6, 2008 - 18:52 ET by CaringwhiteguyI agree RJ. I fact it would have been better to include the descriptive "some" or "many" when referring to Evangelicals. It was not accurate or fair to categorize all Evangelicals as intolerant . . . but enough of the flock were successful at sinking the Mormon.
Yes, CaringWhiteGuy
February 7, 2008 - 09:43 ET by RJThat's exactly what they did. A large part of it was liberal secularists and liberal evangelicals joining forces to attack him just because of his Mormonism.
"I really like Mike Huckabee." -uber lib Mika Brezinski
Whenever I hear that
February 6, 2008 - 22:27 ET by fitzfongWhenever I hear that religion-baiting clown H. Ross Huckabee attacking Romney, I'm reminded of the oversized goons they used to use to clear space for the lead skater in Roller Derby matches. I guess professional wrestling and roller derby aren't the only events that are fixed...
fitz!
February 7, 2008 - 01:25 ET by candanceDon't diss Perot by comparing him to Huck. In this case Romney is acting more like Perot - wealthy successful man who has had it with the establishment and believes it enough to put his money where his mouth is.
Huck is just like any other liberal - spending other people's money to help a fellow lib control the government.
This race is almost exactly like 92 except this time they found a way to neutralize the challenger.
McCain proves he is smarter than Bush
I wonder when Romney
February 7, 2008 - 01:57 ET by fitzfongI wonder when Romney realized he was standing on a dropcloth laid out by "Teflon John" McCain and Mikey "The Bull" Huckabee.
What I don't get...
February 7, 2008 - 08:02 ET by Mr. TerryWhat I don't get here with Huckster is that the numbers showed Romney far ahead of him after Tuesday and he has the gall to say its a two-man race...the libs must be singing "I told you so..."
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