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Huckabee: This Dog Still Has Some Fight in Him
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ShareJanuary 30, 2008 7:52 PM
ABC News' Kevin Chupka reports: Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee made a brief swing through Southern California today ahead of the Republican debate here at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
He spoke to the press before a fundraiser in Newport Beach and seemed to be just as confident as ever that he is still relevant in the race for the Republican nomination.
"This boy isn't on the ropes -- there's an old saying in the South, 'It isn't about the size of the dog in the fight, it's about the size of the fight in the dog' and the fact is I've gotten everywhere I've ever gotten in my political life by hanging in there and fightin' 'til the last bite," Huckabee said.
Speaking of his political life, Huckabee, who is fond of pointing out his success running against the "Clinton political machine" in Arkansas was asked whether or not that success could hold up against a real live Clinton.
"The thing you gotta always remember is the Clinton's are amazingly capable when it comes to political warfare," he said. "I understand that if you think you can just count them out at this point you don't know them very well. And these are folks that know how to play the game. I respect them a lot because they do know how to play, but they play hard ball, they play to win, they don't play just to enjoy the game, they play for the finish line, not for the process...I think I'm the only candidate who can (beat them in November) frankly because I'm the only candidate who's been able to draw for example the support of union members, I got 48% of the African-American vote in Arkansas, name me a Republican who's done anything like that. And if we don't get votes crossing over, who come with us, we're not gonna win in November."
He also had strong words for "true conservatives," especially any who might be planning to vote for Gov. Mitt Romney next week on Super Tuesday, "I don't think Romney and I split the conservative vote. If the true conservatives are looking for a true conservative they'll pick me. Romney's record is not a conservative record, his rhetoric is not a conservative record of even what he's said and what he's done...People are gonna start deciding that if they want a person whose rhetoric and record are truly conservative they only have one place to go -- that would be me."
Huckabee was also asked about the comments of NBC's Tim Russert, who Monday morning claimed Senator John McCain's kind words for Huckabee in Florida was in essence "kind of dangling the vice presidency in front of Mike Huckabee." Huckabee balked, saying: "Well, he's gotta beat me for the Presidency first and he hasn't done that. So let's not count me out just yet."
January 30, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (8)
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The closest he'll come to the presidency is as McCain's VP. And all the rest of the core conservatives will sit this one out and let Hilliary take it. Face it folks, the party is DEAD...
Posted by: fraud '08 | Jan 30, 2008 7:58:10 PM
Don't be a wet blanket. McCain/Huckabee would be far better than Clinton or Obama Hussein.
Bush proposed school vouchers today, Pell Grants for kids. That's not the sign of a dead party.
Posted by: Eric | Jan 30, 2008 9:07:08 PM
I can't help but think if Huckabee was Vice president, and gained some foreign policy credibility through it, he would make a formidable candidate in the future. The man seems to gaining gravitas as this race goes on. I do believe that presidential candidates are forged in this process into someone capable of being president. This is what fred Thompson didn't understand.
Posted by: axistogrind | Jan 30, 2008 9:24:37 PM
After the debate tonight, Huckabee has my vote. McCain and Romney looked like spoiled children fighting for a toy. Huckabee looked mature, presidential and reasonable. Those are the qualities I want in a president.
Posted by: Chris | Jan 31, 2008 12:03:45 AM
Gov. Huckabee looked very presidential tonight.
Posted by: R. Williams | Jan 31, 2008 1:02:00 AM
Which candidate will be the voice for The Silent Majority this November?
Watching Romney/McCain and Clinton/Obama battle it out proved once again that politician and public are miles apart. Verbally attacking one another, mocking and belittling one another, looking down their noses at one another. It's not about the politician, it's about the public that should be served.
The Great American Public says that they don't care how much the president knows until they know how much the president cares.
Posted by: Eric Bossard | Feb 1, 2008 12:55:50 PM
America will NOT have Romney. He has demonstrated that he lacks integrity, character, and is in fact an out and out liar (remember I have been hunting all of my life etc.). He apponted liberal democrat judges who support and advance the gay agenda in Mass. The media, both msm and so called conservative talk radio, have given him a pass on his universal health care in Mass. that is now $250,000,000 in the red and fines both businesses and individuals who don't opt into the Nanny State Plan. (the health plan also covers elective abortion and Romney was a main archetect of the plan) The total tax burden in Mass. went up over 3% in his 4 year watch (compared to only 1/2% in Huckabee's 10.5 years). Mass. ranked 47th thats right 47TH!!! in job growth under his watch. All this about his business experience being what we need to manage the U.S. economy is hooey! I am sure he is a great CEO but there is a huge difference between manageing a conpany and governence. Romney proved he does NOT have what it takes to govern along conservative political and moral principles.
John McCain can be beaten easily and decisively. All Mitt has to do is drop out before tuesday and endorse Huckabee. (Everyone knows Romney won't win and Mike won't drop out and shouldn't since he is the best qualified)If it wern't for his deep pockets Romney would have been out long ago. If he is such a good businessman than he should understand the concept of sunk costs. All of his investment in this race is lost. He will not get the nomination. He should stop thowing good money after bad, drop out, and support Mike Huckabee. McCain would be through in less than a week.
Posted by: Dave | Feb 2, 2008 6:27:54 PM
Dave,
Those are the best comments yet. While only those of us prone to fancy can hope to see Mitt bow out, the idea is nice. Truth is, the media continues its great disservice to the people of this nation by pre-determining what is newsworthy. Today's media "make news" like today's judges "make law"... these are sad times for Americans.
Posted by: Davelyn Eaves Hood | Feb 3, 2008 7:13:45 PM
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