West Virginia is in!
February 5, 2008 — wickleWhen it’s all said and done in West Virginia, the winner is Mike Huckabee!
Ordinarily, a 52% finish would mean that there isn’t room for a close second-place finish, but Romney did come in at 47%. That leaves 1% for John McCain.
Heavily Democratic, WV is not generally considered one of those key states as far as Republicans are concerned.
However, it is a win, and I hope that this shows voters across the country that Mike Huckabee is in this race and should be taken seriously.
It’s a good start to the day … we need to keep it going.
February 5, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Congrats! And, it was Ron Paul supporters who helped! :)
February 5, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Yes, that’s true. Sorry, I didn’t have the first-round numbers when I got excited and put this up.
Huckabee was the second choice for a lot of Ron Paul supporters who switched over after no one got a majority in the first round.
February 5, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I hope either Huck burns in hell or he makes an amazing burst of unimaginable proportions and hands John McCain his lunch.
February 5, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I am just happy that the Paul supporters decided to go with Huckabee then Romney… but not suprised. I have been hearing from a lot that they can support Huckabee as a second choice… but no way could they ever support Romney or McCain…
February 5, 2008 at 7:36 pm
In2theFray - I’m curious. What’s your objection? You endorsed Machiavellian thinking in a different conversation.
Why, then, the condemnation? Certainly, nothing that happened in WV was nearly as dramatic as … say … changing every major political position a person has when he decides to run nationally.
February 5, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Ordained minister that lies bothers my inner Christian. I cannot even tell you how bad I think McCain is for the country and the party. I honestly subscribe to Machiavellian thinking. With that said Huckabee as a candidate that can’t even imagine a win in NY,NJ,or CA lacks the national clout to be Prez. I’ll give you Romneys below 50% is equally a negative, the thing is Romney can do 40 anywhere.
February 5, 2008 at 8:38 pm
I don’t think McCain would be any worse than Romney, to tell the truth. Which means, by the way, I think that either would be terrible.
To a certain group of people — political hacks, mostly — the only possible reason to stay in the race would be to wreck Romney’s chances. To others of us — people who actually believe in principles — it’s worth the effort to stand for ideals.
That doesn’t make Huckabee a liar.
That, by the way, is one of the big things missing from the “analysis” being passed off by a lot of commentators. Mike Huckabee is running on principles and beliefs. The other two are running on … well, … ego, entitlement, and politics for its own sake.
I don’t think that Romney or McCain can win a national race. They lack the charisma to connect with a general audience. Outside of party loyalists, they’re nowhere.
February 5, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Out of all 4 running… I think huckabee has the best chance of uniting all the factions (or at least not causing the biggest splintering).
February 5, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Please keep in mind that I’ve also said I hope Huck bites back at McCain. Huck is JM’s logical vp selection. I don’t like the GOP chances in the general. I have some principles dude I just find the dealing infuriating. As for lies all of them have them including Mike. I won’t assault or insult you witht he quotes and linkage.
I’d stomach Mikes W.Va. win if McCain’s crew didn’t do what they did. It is textbook spoiler in this case & McCain using Huckabee.If having that feeling makes me less Real Politik well maybe there’s hope for me huh ?
1. I don’t buy it. There’s a little of it all in all of them. 2. On a curve I would say McCain scores the lowest since he is an insider elitist who feels he’s entitled. Huckabee and Romney are aspiring pols.
On a personal level many find Mike likable that doesn’t equal presidential,it’s a good quality though. I actually find Mitt likable also. Let me move along and leave you and yours to enjoy the win.
February 5, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Yes, there is hope …
And, fair enough. I’m sure that you’ll have plenty to celebrate tonight, too. CA was looking pretty good for Romney, and let’s face it … that’s a bigger prize than West Virginia.
February 11, 2008 at 10:06 am
I must confess that while I don’t understand politics at all, it would seem that the deal McCain’s & Huckabee’s teams cut was, if not unethical, then a little underhanded. Maybe you have to play that way to make it in big-time politics, and I’m sure many have (and many will), but it just doesn’t seem right.
May 13, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Check this out…
http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/05/mccain-screws-romney-throws-west-virginia-to-huckabee/