- Daily Photo: Obama Jokes Around at G-20
- Blackwater gets replaced in Iraq
- Daily Photo: U.S. Marines Look Out for Taliban in Afghanistan
- Hillary Clinton the Tomboy and Her "Ah-Ha" Moment
- Obama Administration Sudan Envoy Headed to Region
- Daily Photo: Potential Flashpoint in Iraq
- Clinton Says New Afghanistan-Pakistan Plan Depends on Diplomacy
- Exclusive: Three Israeli Airstrikes Against Sudan
- Additional 4,000 Troops to Be Ordered to Afghanistan
- Daily Photo: Navy Submarine Trains in the Arctic
- Alarm Over North Korea Missile Prep
- Anti-Terror Stimulus? US Offers Rewards for Top Terrorists
- Daily Photo: Pakistani Women in Refugee Camp
- Condoleezza Rice Appears on "The Tonight Show"
- Diplomat and Aid Group Sound the Alarm on Darfur Camp Situation
- auto industry rescue
- Ballotwatch
- Biden, Joe
- Bush, George W.
- Clinton, Bill
- Clinton, Hillary
- Dodd, Chris
- Edwards, John
- Giuliani, Rudy
- Gravel, Mike
- Huckabee, Mike
- Hunter, Duncan
- Inauguration
- Iraq
- Kucinich, Dennis
- McCain, John
- Obama, Barack
- Palin, Sarah
- Paul, Ron
- Romney, Mitt
- Tancredo, Tom
- Thompson, Fred
- Veepstakes
- Vote 2008: Democrats
- Vote 2008: Republicans
- Washington
- White House
« Previous | Main | Next »
Huckabee and McCain share AARP stage
Email
ShareOctober 26, 2007 12:01 AM
ABC News' Bret Hovell and Kevin Chupka Report: Two presidential candidates, vying for the nomination of the same party, shared a battleground-state stage Thursday not as rivals, but as friends and colleagues, leaving behind the personal attacks and snappy one-liners that have characterized much of this cycle’s race for the White House.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, and Arizona Senator John McCain came together in Sioux City, IA, to discuss issues of healthcare and social security at a forum sponsored by the AARP.
Absent from the conversation were the other six candidates for the Republican nomination, all of whom turned down the AARP’s invitation. Huckabee and McCain were scheduled to take thirty-five minutes each to discuss their views and answer questions from the audience, but McCain proposed the idea of sharing the stage together, which Huckabee accepted.
“Frankly I regret that the other candidates for president of the United States in the Republican Party are not here tonight,” McCain said.
Added Huckabee, “Senator I don’t know about you, but I think there’s enough for people to choose from, just the two of us, let’s just keep it this way.”
The atmosphere throughout was convivial. Huckabee, during his opening remarks said that the two would engage in a thoughtful discussion, and not resort to sucker punches.
“I said that because I want to make sure he knows not to sucker punch me tonight,” joked the governor.
The candidates found mostly common ground on the main issues of the evening. Both expressed a desire to incentivize fitness and wellness as a way to lower healthcare costs, and to encourage doctors and insurers to focus on prevention rather than critical care. Both saw the impending bankruptcy of the Medicare and Social Security systems as urgent challenges requiring bipartisan solutions.
But it was the civil nature of the discussions that stood out.
“Clearly we’re rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, but that doesn’t in any way mean we’re enemies,” Huckabee said, speaking to reporters after the forum.
It was so friendly, the question had to be asked: Would these two men make a good Republican ticket?
“I’d be happy to have Senator McCain as my Vice President!” Huckabee quipped.
“I knew you’d say that,” McCain followed up with laughter. “I knew he’d get that line in before me!”
October 26, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (27)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
I LIKE MIKE, HUCKABEE/MCCAIN IS A WINNER I LIKE THE FAIR TAX BECAUSE IT MAKES THE CHINESE AND OTHER FOREGNERS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF TAX ON GOODS SOLD AT OUR STORES INSTEAD OF GIVING THEM A FREE RIDE AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR WORKERS, THINK ABOUT IT THEIR PRODUCTS ARE TAXED AT 21% SAME AS THE AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS. WHY SHOULD WE PAY ALL OF THE TAXES. YOU GET A 100% OF YOUR PAY CHECK AND FREE TO BUY THE PRODUCT YOU WANT ALL TAXED AT THE SAME RATE. THIS PUTS US ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.
Posted by: leon | Oct 27, 2007 12:08:01 AM
I've been watching and learning. The tax system we have is a mess. I for one have no problem giving to things that are good. I would give to pay down the national debt IF they would stop going into debt.
So far, I am appalled that people have been taken with Romney and although their are aspects and positions some of the candidates have that I side with. So far, Huckabee is the best choice.
I want the best for my country. I was doubtful about Bush. I remember all the attacks accusing him of cowardice. I also remember him throwing the first pitch in Yankee Stadium after 9/11 knowing he was the terrorists #1 target. I will listen and watch and gradually increase my support for the candidate that seems like they would be best for the nation. To this point it is Huckabee.
Posted by: Robert | Oct 27, 2007 10:36:02 AM
At last a combo that will be right for our country, HUCKABEE/McCAIN !!!!!!!
Posted by: John | Oct 27, 2007 1:46:14 PM
Re: The October 26 comment by DCWornock indicating that Huckabee believes in torture and that Huckabee and McCain are warmongers. Where do the left wing Dems get this kind of stuff? Come on folks stop reading the ultra left wing blogs, listen to the candidates, do some research (voting records), and think for yourselves before you write such nonsense. I guarantee that you'll never find anything in Mike Huckabee's record to show that he believs in torture--that's absurd.
Posted by: Anne Ford | Nov 7, 2007 11:49:04 AM
I've been excited about a possible Huckabee/McCain ticket for weeks now. It is definitely a winner!
Sadly, the reason this is not materializing is because people who are excited about Mike Huckabee simply aren't donating exciting amounts of money to his campaign.
Posted by: Matt | Nov 10, 2007 12:38:25 AM
Would be a refreshing ticket.....Gov H with leadership experience and a true passion to heal our land and Sen McCain with a good balance of military and Wash DC service.
This pair could beat the Dems.
Posted by: Chris | Nov 20, 2007 12:39:49 AM
This was the beginning of the Republican ticket. Two men, both with the highest integrity, character, each has a history of being able to work across party lines to get things done and to look for answers to problems not so much Republican or Democrat. Huck is outside Washington to McCain's inside experience. McCain is a maverick and so is Huckabee in a way.... Both will stand up for the things they strongly believe in. We couldn't have a better team....
Posted by: Crystan | Jun 3, 2008 10:00:00 PM
Post a comment
