Mike Huckabee's strategy: Deadlocked convention

In an interview with a San Antonio radio station this morning, Mike Huckabee essentially confirmed the suspicions of many analysts. He's hanging on in the Republican presidential nomination fight hoping to keep John McCain from winning enough delegates to get the nomination on the first ballot at the Republican National Convention in September.

Huckabee's thinking: With no clear nominee, the conservative wing will move to him, and he might be able to snatch the nomination in a floor fight, he told station WOAI-AM (1200). But it will take an upset win in Texas on March 4 to do that, he said.

"If we win Texas, I think it changes the dynamics of this race," Huckabee said. "It could well go all the way to the convention. If the convention delegates pick the president, chances are they would pick the most conservative. I would be the one they would end up picking, if that’s the criteria."

That's a lot of "ifs." Polls in Texas vary widely, but the Real Clear Politics aggregate gives McCain a 12-point lead, which might be close enough for Huckabee to pull off a surprise. Especially if McCain's base believes that the nomination is all his and doesn't bother to vote.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[roger walker]

I don't like to believe in conspiracy theories, but the way the mainstream media from the major networks to AP and the hometown newspaper, there has been a news blackout on Huckabee. Huckabee is the only candidate among three senators running for office that actually has executive office experience as a two-term governor. The media gives the impression that Huckabee's only credentials are that he once was a Baptist minister. They are afraid of Huckabee because if they would let the American public know fairly who he is, he woujld dance circles around McCain in a debate on substantive issues. Tim Russert tried to browbeat Huckabee and Mike didn't give him an inch. Go Huckabee. My vote counts. Hang in there until I get to vote in North Carolina. Right now I feel like I'm watching an election from a foreign country with "presumptive nominee" McCain waiting for his coronation. THIS IS AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jeanette]

Are we forgetting Ron Paul? Do so at you're own peril. He is the ONLY candidate who is fit to occupy the WH! ALL the rest of them, republicrat, demepublican alike are NWO sock puppets and need to be run out of town on a rail.

[Gregory-Alan: Johnson]

Ron Paul will get the nomination. The other four candidates are influenced by or are member of the Council on Foreign Relations (NOT a Godly org). Many know that McCain doesn't have the temperment for the job, rarely tells the truth, doesn't abide by the Constitution, and is considered a traitor by many 'Nam vets. Huckabee has a voting record in Arkansas that very clearly shows his disregard for the rule of law and his oath of office. Phyllis Schlafley (Eagle Forum) states Huckabee as the GOP version of Bill Clinton. Ron Paul has the only voting record that upholds the rule of law and the Constitution. Ron Paul is the only candidate that can and will defeat the 'One World Order' effort of Clinton and Obama. Don't forget: Zbigniew Brzinski is Obama's foreign policy advisor, and we are dealing now with Zbig's 'seeds' (sown during Carter) in fruition in the middle east. Support Ron Paul or get ready for a One World gov't complete with microchip implantation (real i.d.)!! I challenge everyone to websearch this info. Thanks for your time.

[doc]

Wake up Sheeple!!! Ron Paul is still in the race!! He has not dropped out!!!

[William Wong]

I have never seen a major party (the Republican) beat up on one of its own candidates like what they did to Mike Huckabee. Pundits like Rush Limbaugh was declaring the end of the Republican party if people like McCain and Huckabee are nominated. Sean Hannity was treating Huckabee like he was a Democrat running for office. Hugh Hewitt was selling Mitt Romney from Day One.

Huckabee was portrayed as taking away conservatives' votes from Romney over and over again. Even after beating Romney by 9 points in Iowa despite being outspent 20:1, Huckabee continued to get hammered. Fred Thompson skipped Michigan to concentrate on S. Carolina where he hammered away at Huckabee. Huckabee lost S. Carolina to McCain by 3 points. After S. Carolina, Thompson quit!

Huckabee raised taxes in Arkansas for schools and roads. As a result, the schools in Arkansas rosed from the worst to 8th best. The roads improved from worst in the country to most improved according to Truckers'magazine. Gov Romney raised fees by $500M. Yet the Club for Growth (527 organization) spent thousands of dollars attacking Huckabee for being a tax raiser.

Republicans pundit also attacked Huckabee for being soft on crime yet he alone among all the candidates had sent not one but 16 convicts to the gas chamber. Soft on crime? I think not!

But by going nuclear on Huckabee, the GOP had grossly miscalculated. Instead of Romney, they probably got McCain. and also lost millions of conservative evangelicals as well. Everytime I get a Republican letter asking for money, I trash them right away. And I am not alone.

The only way the GOP can redeem itself is to encourage Huckabee to continue campaigning as long as is mathematically possible and allow further debates. Simply pressuring Huckabee to quit is not going to help at all.

[MediaMike]

I can't believe it took so long for a Ron Paul comment to appear here!

As a long time Arizonan, I know McCain changes his position with the wind, and Huckabee won't stop the flood of illegals ruining our economy and job market. We need a true Constitutionalist to end ALL the problems at the federal level, and there is only one who was EVER in the running...RON PAUL!

[Mike Huckabee for President!]

Hargrove08, at least Mike is a good man, maybe you can take lead from him and try to become one by voting for the only electable conservative left-Mike Huckabee.

James-It is small-minded, unread liars like you who have allowed the likes of McCain into this race. Do your research before you open your ignorant yap. Mike Huckabee has the best second amendment record of anyone in the race. He cut taxes 94 times and had his tax burden rise LESS THAN HALF of Romney's in almost three times as long. Mike is the ONLY candidate left who supports a life and marriage amendment (something that 92% of Christians polled say they want). Mike supports the Fair Tax and tax cuts until it can be implemented. Like, Ron Paul, Mike has called for controlled spending to end our unbalanced budgets. Mike Huckabee has spent less in total than McCain took in special interest money LAST MONTH according to CNN. SO get your facts straight. You are a complete embarrassment to our party.

[huck-a-vote]

yeah right, true conservatives! just write in huckabee in the general election and god will reward our political stupidity --- with a president who is the exact opposite.

[James Finn]

Be careful of what you wish for, Huckabee. If it goes to a brokered convention...Ron Paul will crush you!!!!

[bodo]

If Huckabee wins the nomination, the Republicans have no chance in November. With McCain they might.

[Mike from Mass]

Ron Paul was the only honest candidate to begin with, and he's the only honest candidate left. He's one of the only politicians in the world with true integrity and a consistent voting record to match. McCain claims to be against special interest and corporate donations, but his pockets are lined with their money. Paul is the only politician truly against special interests and has raised more money that any other Republican except John "100 more years in Iraq and more wars anywhere" McCain. Vote for your constitution and true liberty. Vote for Ron Paul when it comes down to the brokered convention.

[Mike from Mass]

Ron Paul was the only honest candidate to begin with, and he's the only honest candidate left. He's one of the only politicians in the world with true integrity and a consistent voting record to match. McCain claims to be against special interest and corporate donations, but his pockets are lined with their money. Paul is the only politician truly against special interests and has raised more money that any other Republican except John "100 more years in Iraq and more wars anywhere" McCain. Vote for your constitution and true liberty. Vote for Ron Paul when it comes down to the brokered convention.

[joe]

Brokered convention may very well lead to a Ron Paul surprise win.... Congressman Paul has more delegates than you think or the war-media will admit.

[Ron]

"If Huckabee wins the nomination, the Republicans have no chance in November. With McCain they might."

What? He defeated the Clinton machine in Arkansas - Twice!

Go Huckabee! I am voting for Huckabee in Ohio.

[Charles Dixon]

To all of you that keep talking up a "FAIR tax" it will place the tax burden squarely on the middle class' shoulders. Imagine 23 percent what Huck is talking about and your local tax on EVERYTHING you purchase, (8-10 percent average) Say 9+23 is 32. 30000 for a car plus 32 precent, groceries + 32, new water heater +32, washer/dryer +32, new LCD TV 1500dollars +32. THAT is WAY more than anything I have paid on my 50-90k a year I make. IT WILL BREAK the middle class and the rich will have the let off the hook they have been wanting. You will be in servitude. Imagine a car, water heater, groceries, and a new TV in a year no deductions a conservative estimate is 13k. Median income 40k that is a HELL of a tax burden. That doesn't include Huckabee having a cozy relationship with Mexican gov't officials helping facilitate illegal immigration in AR to benefit Wal-Mart and Tyson chicken. Read up on that before you set you "heart" on some guy. Would Jesus support exploiting 3rd world immigrants for below poverty wages, abusive work practices, and pillage of our southern neighbor?

You want to change your tax burden? Do something about Gay marriage? Do you want an advocate for positive change for all your "social issues? etc etc? Then Huckabee fans need to realize the only "hope" for a true Conservative in this election is Ron Paul. He has taken first in quite a few states, and 2nd in others, he has more money on hand than any republican, and will ABOLISH the IRS, and eliminate YOUR tax burden all together. And he advocates positions that all you "Social issue" voters will love. People say well he can't win? He has won already and if more people got informed and chose with principle over "lesser of evils" we'd have something not EVIL AT ALL.

But really people please get the focus right. Social issues are just tools that they use to separate us and fighting among ourselves while the destruction of our Republic goes on unabated. GAY marriage, abortion etc, NONE OF THEM WILL change a damn thing on those. They will continue to play you all like a drum if you don't get away from thinking about those "social" = divide and conquer issues. They play these up to keep you focused away from the REAL problems in our nation. IE broke Treasury, borrowing from China to pay for Iraq, scandal after scandal, YOUR loss of liberties and rights, (IE Patriot Act) PEOPLE WAKE THE **** UP!!!!!

[Nattie]

A true conservative understands that if faith could solve the problems of men, there would be no need for government. Huckabee has done some good things as governor but like the Muslim clerics of Iran, he's a theocrat who thinks that public problems can be resolved through a specific (Christian) personal morality.

[Marge]

Unfortunately, Huckabee is the wrong conservative even if a brokered convention is possible. He has a Gomer Pyle persona and can not win nationally in a general election. Mitt Romney (whom Huckabee curiously denounced while schmoozing up to McCain) has the national appeal and record to win including winning Blue States like Massachusetts and Michigan in a general election. That is a strategy for conservatives winning a national election. While McCain has won many Blue states in the primaries, these are largely the states that are overwhelminging Democratic in the national election (like NY, NJ , CA, etc). I detest McCain as a turncoat on many issues important to conservatives, especially on immigration, so I hope for a brokered convention where Mitt Romney can re-engage and win. Huckabee has been a spoiler in the race because he refuses the see his lack of national appeal and cared only about his own self-promotion. He split the conservative vote and allowed the weakest candidate to emerge who is viewed as too old, out of sync on major issues, with a bad temper and too willing to make deals with liberals. Huckabee has also behaved badly as a pastor with his name calling and demeaning insinuations against his opponents. He needs to run by himself as a Third Party candidate...then he can see what support he has across the country....and it won't be a winning ticket.

[Luke]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>TEXAS!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>VOTE HUCKABEE!<<<<<<<<<<<

[Robert]

Hang in there Huckabee! McCain is going down. That oder .you smell coming from his campaign is burnt toast.

Get the old fart to a nursing home where they can deal with his little memory lapses. And moral ones as well.

[Nancy]

I am a 55 year old woman. Been happily married 35 years, have 2 grown sons and 6 grandchildren. All of us are devout conservative and born again Christaians, and we are Republicans. I know in my heart and according to scripture, this world is not going to get any better. As a Christian, my purpose is to love the Lord with all my heart and to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to others. I like Mike Huckebee. I like his heart and agree with his beliefs. I have ALWAYS liked President Bush. I know he is a man of faith and every day for almost 8 years I have prayed for him to have wisdom. I also know that John McCain understands the situation in the world, that we face. So...the bottom line is that the Bible says to pray for those in authority, and I also know that the Bible says in Romans 13 that there is no government that God has not placed there. We need to pray, seek God's direction for this election and then vote.

[Huckabuddy]

You all seem to be forgetting that God is ultimately in control and quite a few of us Christians are praying and believing that God will make a way where there seems to be no way! Gov. Huckabee is a great leader, a great communicator and he will be the best president this country has ever had! He will be the people's president, elected by the people - not the pundit's, not the media but by we who believe! If God is for us, who could be against us! Keep the faith, stay the course. Go Gov. Huckabee! You will have my vote, even if I have to write it in the general election!

[chaz]

Huck's down with the CFR. He is a wolf in sheep's clothes. More war, more huge profits for globalists. ..and he lied about having a degree in theology. Huck's no good for us and will not beat the dems.

Ron Paul is the repub party's only hope, whether they accept that fact or not makes no difference. As a delegate i will not vote for the NWO. My message to the repub party is join the revolution or lose. We are not going to waiver in our support for Paul, and the republican party stands no chance to win without us. (without vote fraud)

[Randohr]

Huckabee can not win against Obama or Clinton. McCain might have a slim chance against Clinton, but no chance against Obama. Ron Paul, if his message is actually heard (and understood) by the masses, could beat Obama or Clinton. For the Republicans to win the White House, Ron Paul is the only chance. The "all powerful" but extremely corrupt establishment has black balled Paul since the beginning. The only conclusion; Obama, the man with the least experience, must take the job to further the direction of global control. He will need many, many advisers. Fellows from the "think tanks" will be his only choices. But, then again, all of the "chosen" candidates we have to choose from are CFR members, so it really doesn't matter who we vote in, it will be the same stuff, different day, just a different face mouthing the same rhetoric. If America is serious about wanting true change, Ron Paul is our only choice. He is still in the race contrary to the media reports.

[jim bob]

This is in response to Jenny's comment, "this country was founded on EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE VALUES." To all you people who think that our founding fathers were conservative christians, maybe you should do some homework! Washington and Franklin were Deists (believed god created the world then LEFT for us to figure it out), Jefferson was an atheist, and only of the 1 out of 56 of our "founding fathers" was a church clergy member. Before you start spouting off your religious rhetoric, maybe you should check to see if you're right.

[charliegirl42]

Ok. Listen up. McCain is a traitor. FIND OUT WHY there are groups like Vietnam Veterans Against McCain out there. LISTEN TO THEM. FIND OUT WHY McCain single handedly shut down a GOVERNMENT INQUIRY ino bringing the known to be EXISTING VIETNAM POWs home. SINGLEHANDEDLY! Find out why!
Read Ron Paul's record of voting!
Then read Huckster's voting record.
McCain is "proud of his record of service" to Amerika??
Oh puh-leeese...
Huckster is a democrat in drag. I don't care if he does say he's a "christian"... I wouldn't vote for that "tax hike Mike" if he was the ONLY candidate running for the nomination. I LIVE HERE IN ARKANSAS... and the schools are WORSE THAN EVER. Check out how much money is spent on education here PER STUDENT. And we're still turning out kids who can't write a coherent paragraph. I took my daughter OUT of public school in the 9th grade because of the CURRICULUM. www.ibo.org is what we have now instead of advanced placement classes. FROM UNESCO!!
Huck signed it into law that school districts would be allowed to use this COMMUNISM-LADEN curriculum.
I protested by taking my daughter out. I fought it from the beginning by exposing a middleschool principle who used SCHOOL DISTRICT MONEY for him and 2 teachers to take a trip to the east coast to SEE THIS CURRICULUM in action, and then lied to me IN A PUBLIC MEETING when I called him on it. He dodged me left and right until I cornered him.
This is what you can expect if Huck OR McCain wins the White House: McCain is a member and Huck has the PRES of the CFR as his chief foreign policy advisor. That's the only thing that matters. CFR wants to dissolve the US as we know it; merge the US, Canada and Mexico into one region and eventually merge the already existing OTHER REGIONS into A ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT. Go to Youtube and search for CFR Candidates. CHRISTIANS!!!!! THIS IS PARAMOUNT FOR YOU TO KNOW!!!
RON PAUL FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!! HE'S THE ONLY CANDIDATE NOT A MEMBER AND THE MEDIA IS IGNORING HIM BECAUSE OF THIS!!!!!!
He's the only candidate who can BEGIN the fix on our economy and bring consumer prices down.
Our economy is only the verge of implosion and we could not even BEGIN to be in Iraq 100 years... WHAT A RUSE ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!!!
My 26 year old son returned from Iraq from an 18 month deployment. IT IS ABOUT THE OIL!!! NEVER ABOUT "the war on terror"...
My son's chief job was to guard the pipeline as it traveled from the wellhead to the coastline. His orders were to "guard" it from anyone trying to molest the freeflow of oil. Oil is coming here to the United States and is being stored in underground storage facilities in the upper midwest. Believe me when I say there are literally millions upon millions of gallons ALREADY HERE and more is coming every day!!!!! I don't care if you believe it or not, it's the truth. It is the "pay" for our being in Iraq. The Iraqi people as a whole DON'T WANT THE OIL. They say it causes misery and heartache. This is what the local populace told my son's unit. They were very friendly to our guys there and very sympathetic. One little old lady crocheted a cap for my son to keep his head warm while it was cold. They knew why we were there and appreciated it, but they knew we would be in trouble later for being there at all. They are very smart people!!! But apparently the general population of the United States is not and that's because
WE RELY ON THE CONTROLLED MEDIA TO TELL US WHAT WE ARE TO THINK!!!! WAKE UP AMERIKA!!!

Healthcare is already in a mess. Ron Paul who is the ONLY physician candidate KNOWS what it will take to fix the healthcare mess...and nobody is listening!
USE YOUR HEAD PEOPLE... TAKE OFF THOSE REPUBLICAN GLASSES AND LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES!!!
CHRISTIANS!!! WAKE UP!!!!! THE HANDWRITING IS ON THE WALL!!!
BE THE WATCHMAN OF EZEKIEL 33 1-6 AND BLOW THE HORN WHEN YOU SEE THE DANGER COMING!!!!
The BEST indicator and predictor of future behavior is past and present behavior...
RON PAUL HAS THE ONLY VOTING RECORD THAT SUPPORTS THE TALK HE'S TALKING!

fact: McCain is a gun-grabbing liberal.
fact: McCain is the one who pushed McCain-Feingold finance "campaign" reform (abrigement of 1st Amendment)
fact: McCain wants to be in Iraq "100 years".... (our economy won't last that long... we're teetering on the edge of bankruptcy now)

fact: Huckabee only changed parties to Republican from Democrat to get the pro-life vote
fact: Huckabee spent and raised more taxes here in Arkansas than Clinton
fact: Huckabee's foreign policy advisor is Richard Haas, the current PRESIDENT OF THE CFR... (world government pushers)

Still think Huck or McCain are "good choices"..?????
VOTE RON PAUL.... look at his voting record!~!!!
I cannot stress that enough...

He's the only guy telling us the truth!!! Yeah, I know it's a bitter pill to swallow, but it's time for TRUTH...

Patrick Henry said that he would rather know the truth and prepare for it....check it out.

One who knows... I live in Arkansas and have since Clintoon was Gov.