« Previous | Main | Next »

Huckabee: 'I May Be Killing My Political Career'

Share

February 18, 2008 8:34 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka reports: While campaigning in Wisconsin today, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee told a crowd, gathered at the University of Wisconsin, at Eau Claire, "I may be killing my political career, but I know this -- if we don't start thinking in terms of solving some of America's problems, we're killing all of your careers."

During a press conference immediately following the rally, Huckabee was asked to clarify his remarks.

"What I mean by that, I'm just saying there are a lot of people who say I'm staying and creating problems for the party, and there are obviously people in the party who are unhappy that I've stayed.  Now, keep in mind, they're all supporting John McCain, but this sense that it's just his turn, let's just all step aside -- I find that insulting as a Republican, and as a candidate," Huckabee said. 

For the past several weeks, Huckabee has argued that his continued presence in the race is important to the Republican party, and on more than one occasion, has likened his campaign to that of Ronald Reagan in 1976, when he challenged sitting President Ford, much to the chagrin of the Republican base.

"And my point is, if people say, 'well, he should have left' –- they said this of Ronald Reagan in 1976, when he continued to campaign right on until the convention," Huckabee argued.

"It was said of other Republicans in previous times.  But, ya know, the rules are, that if you don't have the person that has the delegates to claim the nomination, it goes to a brokered convention.  I don't necessarily think that's all that bad.

"I think the worse thing is not getting the right candidate nominated for the contest.  So, if we haven't had a candidate who has rallied enough delegates to be named, then maybe it should go to the convention."

February 18, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (368)

User Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

You Go Huck!

It's about time we had someone challenging political dinosaurs and giving all of the 50 United States the chance to vote.

It's about time we had a man in office who isn't a quitter and a sell out and knows how to run a race. Whoever heard of a real athlete quitting a Marathon just because he was told someone is close to the finish line but not there yet. Let's not forget the story of the Tortoise and the Hare.

We haven't seen a true hero in many years. Mike Huckabee didn't quit on his wife even when she went through years of cancer.

Already he's proving he's got the endurance to not quit on his supporters, even though he's the only Candidate having to earn his living while campaigning. And on a shoe string budget, he's still winning States. All the others are living on easy street, spending our over taxed, Taxpayer money.

Posted by: Olga H. | Feb 18, 2008 9:16:18 PM

Now how is this supposed to be enduring Huck to McCain, cause I don't think alienating him and the party will get him the VP slot he so covets. Besides Huck's just another Jimmy Carter, the best he could hope for is as VP, cause he aint getting through the front door. If that is his strategy, then he's right. He is killing his chance at a slot. He'd be better off quitting now. The party won't do him any favors if he doesn't.

Posted by: cba | Feb 18, 2008 9:45:35 PM

huck is just being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn at this point. this idea that it's somehow offensive to him that people urge him to get out is ridiculous. the guy just wants to be an ass, just because he can.

Posted by: joe | Feb 18, 2008 10:02:42 PM

We should all give John McCain credit for winning some hard fought contests (both primaries and caucuses). Thus, he has NOT been handed the nomination because it's "his turn." In this respect, Mike Huckabee is very inaccurate. Great guy, but Huckabee is blowing it big time. I was very impressed with the way Mitt Romney exited the race in a classy way that preserved his rapport with key people for a future contribution. This is the heart and soul of politics, for better or for worse.

Posted by: Ann Donnelly | Feb 18, 2008 10:06:04 PM

I think Huck has every RIGHT to say in the hunt until it is over. Even some GOP members act like if you are an evangelical you are a red necked dirt bag from the dinosaur era and have no right to express yourself. Between the press and GOP leaders there is a very good chance they will not get the vote they are taking for granted. EVEN for evangelicals ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I never thought he was running for the VP slot, that in my opinion was manufactured by the McCain team. My candidate is GONE, but I encourage Mike to continue to get the "PEOPLE" not the machine behind his campaign.

Posted by: Jim | Feb 18, 2008 10:07:39 PM

Huckabee should have taken a page from Clinton's book and changed his last name a long time ago. Clinton's real name is Blythe: he took on one of his mother's husband's names as a kid. If I have it correctly, he took the name AFTER her divorce from the guy. Talk about foresight.

Posted by: Lee | Feb 18, 2008 10:15:32 PM

In 1976, Reagan was neck and neck with Ford on into the convention. He (Reagan)was entirely correct and honorable to stay in the race.

Not the case in 2008! Huckabee is way behind, hopelessly beaten, and should get out!

Posted by: gs | Feb 18, 2008 10:15:36 PM

Huckaby is just having his ten minutes of fame. He can't give it up. What else will he do if he stops now? He adores the attention. I think he should hope and pray he can be transportation secretary- that is something he can do.

Posted by: kc | Feb 18, 2008 10:17:24 PM

Everyone forgets the story of Lincoln. He went to the convention with as small of a percentage of delegates as Ron Paul has. There is no real support (outside of the media pounding his name into the masses not unlike what they've done with Paris Hilton) for McCain. One thing is certain, McCain will not beat either Clinton or Obama. So the convention delegate could be smart and go with Ron Paul who can beat them in a fair match.

Posted by: Rich Piotrowski | Feb 18, 2008 10:18:48 PM

I am voting for Ron Paul no matter what.

Posted by: believer | Feb 18, 2008 10:19:34 PM

I agree with Huck.

He can stay in and make some people "think" for a change.. Maybe McCain is who we will get, but having a better candidate in the race such as Huckabee, is a good thing.

Posted by: Mack Goodman | Feb 18, 2008 10:21:41 PM

Huckabee staying in is like Ron Paul staying in. He serves no one but himself. Romney showed what being a team player was all about, and displayed an ability to deal in reality, not self gratification. THis shows you what kind of president Huckabee would be. A self serving moron.

Posted by: robertv | Feb 18, 2008 10:33:25 PM

Who is Ron Paul ?

That's the question DanNC. You wouldn't know who he is by watching the mainstream media who has all but ignored him. He is however the top fund raiser from people in the military, and was the top GOP fund raiser last quarter. Its criminal how much he's been ignored.

Posted by: Rich Piotrowski | Feb 18, 2008 10:34:45 PM

I was a Romney supporter, so I was not happy that Huckabee split the conservative vote and knocked Romney out of the race. However, tomorrow I will surely cast my vote for Huckabee. If there's a person on the planet I loathe more than McCain, I can't think of who it would be. In short, to hell with McCain and the Republican party establishment. If this is how they look at things, we don't need them
any more. It's time for a third party.

Posted by: Hedley Lamar | Feb 18, 2008 10:35:42 PM

Interesting how Huckabee has progressed this far mostly without support from the conservative talk show hosts. In fact some of them acted as if Huck was worse than McCain. Now you ask: "Why is McCain winning even though he was trashed by the Limbaugh crowd, et al"? Answer: Because they all treated Giuliani & Romney as if they would be Reagan re-incarnate. We all know Rudy was a huge liberal, and that Mitt was no conservative, in MA. So those who may previously have trusted the host's advice in the past lost faith in it after seeing how they ignored and/or trashed the most decent man needed for the job. Was it the fact that Huckabee always put God first which drew the disdain of many "Conservatives"? I am anxious to see their responses when Mike becomes the nominee. Conservatives need to research Huck's accomplishments as governor of Arkansas. It's not too late to save our party and maybe our country by voting for a God-fearing candidate.

Posted by: John | Feb 18, 2008 10:37:23 PM

Rock on Mike Huckabee! You are our voice. The nomes in D.C. won't hear us.

Posted by: Willy Brown | Feb 18, 2008 10:38:17 PM

Stay the course, Governor Huckabee. The press and the pundits may have crowned McCain, but he still hasn't got the magic figure and I am still beleiving that a miracle will happen and you will get the nomination. Rush & Hannity are good but they are sure wrong this time.
You are the only one that I feel that I can trust.

Posted by: Ron Tripp | Feb 18, 2008 10:39:43 PM

McCain is a warmongering imperialist! Who are you going to rely on when the empire falls? What would John Galt do?

Posted by: Humble Policy | Feb 18, 2008 10:39:58 PM

Keep it up, Huck! Keep it up, Huck! I've been praying you will be our next president! Thank you for hanging in there!!!

Posted by: 2 Cents Worth | Feb 18, 2008 10:41:09 PM

Huckabee is the only Republican I would vote for. I will never in a million years cast a vote for McCain; I don't believe I'm alone, as a Republican. I will cast a write-in vote for Huckabee. McCain may win, so be it. McCain may be running as a Republican, but that doesn't mean he'll behave as one. Look at Bush and the spineless Republicans in office now; most of them should be registered Democrats for all the good they've done.

Hang in there Huckabee!

Posted by: Wes | Feb 18, 2008 10:45:44 PM

Post a comment