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The Note: Palin a Hit, and McCain Bats Next

September 04, 2008 9:16 AM

ABC News' Rick Klein reports in Thursday's Note:

ST. PAUL, Minn. --

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has gotten the scrambled race he wanted when he turned to Gov. Sarah Palin. So, this is his party now -- what does he do with it?

McCain’s convention gets to be about McCain again (or maybe for the first time), as one of the strangest political gatherings in memory comes to a close Thursday in St. Paul with Cindy and John as your highlights.

McCain’s teammate in this endeavor capped a weeklong journey from obscurity -- across Quayle Quarry and Eagleton Pass and back (no wonder Trig’s hair was out of place) -- with a powerful speech that keeps her in the image game.

To wear out some imagery, the hockey mom knows how to lace up the skates -- and can deliver a check into the boards, lipstick intact.

The speech wasn’t soaring or specific, but it didn’t have to be. It wasn’t perfect or polished, but neither is she (and that’s the point).

Read the rest of The Note -- and get all the latest on the 2008 election, Congress, the White House and the wide world of politics every day -- from Rick Klein by bookmarking this link.

We stayed earthbound with Sarah Palin. Yet, a beleaguered party has found its inspiration -- a person who makes Republicans proud to call themselves Republicans again, even if she’s someone that the “elite media” (more unpopular at the RNC than Harry Reid?) doesn’t quite know what to do with. (That applies maybe even to those who have yet to learn the perils of the hot mic.)

“Ms. Palin’s appearance electrified a convention that has been consumed by questions of whether she was up to the job, as she launched slashing attacks on Mr. Obama’s claims of experience,” Elisabeth Bumiller and Michael Cooper write in The New York Times.

“Palin pitched herself as the product of small-town America and laced her address with sarcastic digs at Sen. Obama. She said it is his experience, not hers, that is lacking, and she embraced the role of leading the attack against the Democratic ticket,” Michael D. Shear writes in The Washington Post. “Palin focused on almost every tactical misstep Obama's campaign has made, painting a caricature of the Democrat as an out-of-touch elitist and a lightweight celebrity with no sense of what matters to average Americans.”

Even Sen. Joe Biden was impressed -- well, sort of.

“She had a great night. I thought she had a very skillfully written, and very skillfully delivered speech,” Biden, D-Del., told ABC’s Robin Roberts on “Good Morning America” Thursday. “I was impressed by the speech, but I was also impressed by what I didn’t hear spoken. ... They were good, funny lines -- I’m glad they weren’t about me.”

Continue reading today's Note by clicking HERE.

ABC News' Hope Ditto contributed to this report.

September 4, 2008 in Biden, Joe, Bush, George W., Clinton, Hillary, Giuliani, Rudy, Huckabee, Mike, McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Palin, Sarah, Paul, Ron, Romney, Mitt, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans, Washington, White House | Permalink | User Comments (205) | TrackBack (0)

The Note: Palin Caught in Image War

September 03, 2008 9:08 AM

ABC News' Rick Klein reports in Wednesday's Note:

ST. PAUL, Minn. --

The war over Gov. Sarah Palin’s image is on. (And Team McCain can only hope that it’s not already lost.)

What the McCain campaign realizes is that there are two Republican National Conventions now underway -- one in St. Paul, and one back home.

In the first, inside the hall, they feel good about being Republicans again. The party’s stars are cycling through (where was this Fred Thompson last year?), the nominee has delegates’ (and -- thanks, Joe Lieberman -- one big Democrat’s) blessing, and there’s this new young partner who’s got everyone buzzing.

But -- as clear as that giant, high-definition American flag rippling behind the podium -- none of that may matter over in that other convention that’s playing out in the press reports that seep into American homes.

Certainly not if the running mate doesn’t impress Wednesday (and probably not if the McCain-Palin operation can’t control the media firestorm before she takes the stage).

Read the rest of The Note -- and get all the latest on the 2008 election, Congress, the White House and the wide world of politics every day -- from Rick Klein by bookmarking this link.

The broad issue this Wednesday: The campaign is perilously close to losing control of Palin’s image -- and thus the stakes are raised for a speech that was going to be the most closely watched of the convention anyway.

“Core conservatives are smitten with the 44-year-old governor, who opposes abortion in all cases, including rape and incest. And millions of dollars in donations have poured in,” Peter Wallsten and Doyle McManus write in the Los Angeles Times “But Republican strategists don't know how she will play among moderate swing voters, including blue-collar Democrats, who have been moving toward Barack Obama but might like Palin's middle-class roots.”

Said former Bush adviser Dan Bartlett: “There's no middle ground on this for John McCain. . . . She is either going to be a wild success or a spectacular failure.”

“It's going to be a wild ride,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., tells USA Today.

Here comes the pushback: Team McCain plays the gender card and the media-bias card with a full-on offensive -- press conferences, surrogate TV and radio appearances (designed to demand fair treatment for Palin and her family), plus a new ad:

“The McCain campaign will launch a television ad directly comparing Governor Palin’s executive experience as a governor who oversees 24,000 state employees, 14 statewide cabinet agencies and a 10 billion dollar budget to Barack Obama’s experience as a one-term junior Senator from Illinois,” a campaign aide tells The Note.

Continue reading today's Note by clicking HERE.

ABC News' Hope Ditto contributed to this report.

September 3, 2008 in Biden, Joe, Bush, George W., Giuliani, Rudy, McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Palin, Sarah, Paul, Ron, Thompson, Fred, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans, Washington, White House | Permalink | User Comments (154) | TrackBack (0)

The Note: New Questions Dog McCain-Palin Ticket

September 02, 2008 9:16 AM

ABC News' Rick Klein reports in Tuesday's Note:

ST. PAUL, Minn. --

What did John McCain know, and when did he know it?

We will get a full Republican National Convention back, starting Tuesday. (Sen. Joe Lieberman and former Sen. Fred Thompson help get us from telethon to television -- and President Bush will get his address via satellite, for better and worse, while Rudy Giuliani gets bumped to another night.)

But even if we didn’t get back on track, just think of what we’ve been through together already. A storm blew through St. Paul, Monday -- and there was a hurricane you may have heard about, too.

And behind the news about Gov. Sarah Palin’s daughter (biology as pushback?) is a pregnant series of questions about Sen. John McCain: Did he know, really and fully, what he was getting into? Does his campaign regret the choice, even a little bit? What does all of this say about his judgment?

(How many more stories before Palin = “Northern Exposure,” and how long a trip is it from there to Tom Eagleton/Harriet Miers territory?)

Read the rest of The Note -- and get all the latest on the 2008 election, Congress, the White House and the wide world of politics every day -- from Rick Klein by bookmarking this link.

(And while we’re waiting for those answers -- Sen. Barack Obama will be George Stephanopoulos’ exclusive headliner Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”)

It was a good political day to dump Palin information, as Gustav wasn’t quite dumping its wrath on the Gulf Coast. But this starts to add up:

“Among other less attention-grabbing news of the day: it was learned that Ms. Palin now has a private lawyer in a legislative ethics investigation in Alaska into whether she abused her power in dismissing the state’s public safety commissioner; that she was a member for two years, in the 1990s, of the Alaska Independence Party, which has, at times, sought a vote on whether the state should secede; and that Mr. Palin was arrested 22 years ago on a drunken driving charge,” Elisabeth Bumiller writes in The New York Times.

“We are going to flush the toilet,” new McCain-Palin aide Tucker Eskew (yes, THE Tucker Eskew) tells the Times.

Things Team McCain may have wanted done, say, last week: “Aides to Mr. McCain said they had a team on the ground in Alaska now to look more thoroughly into Ms. Palin’s background,” Bumiller reports. “A Republican with ties to the campaign said the team assigned to vet Ms. Palin in Alaska had not arrived there until Thursday, a day before Mr. McCain stunned the political world with his vice presidential choice.”

Continue reading today's Note by clicking HERE.

ABC News' Hope Ditto contributed to this report.

September 2, 2008 in Biden, Joe, Bush, George W., Giuliani, Rudy, Huckabee, Mike, McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Palin, Sarah, Thompson, Fred, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans, Washington, White House | Permalink | User Comments (150) | TrackBack (0)

The Note: VP Guessing Game Keeps GOP in Headlines

August 29, 2008 10:11 AM

ABC News' Rick Klein reports in Friday's Note:

DENVER --

Now that we know Sen. Barack Obama is going to fight for this thing, we’re about to see why he’ll need to.

No rest for the weary leaving Denver for St. Paul: It was Obama’s night on Thursday, but as the confetti wafts down the mountain, Friday is Sen. John McCain’s day -- since he’ll have someone to share it with, at last.

The birthday boy puts his veep out at a noontime ET joint rally in Dayton, Ohio -- and away we go all over again (if the GOP can buy any luck with the weather).

And the process-of-elimination/obfuscation game resumes in full force: Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn., called it a “fair assumption” that he wasn’t it, since he isn’t going to Dayton on Friday: “It was an honor to be considered,” he told a local radio station.

He got the formal call from McCain Friday morning -- told he was not going to be the selection, per ABC’s Jan Crawford Greenburg.

Read the rest of The Note -- and get all the latest on the 2008 election, Congress, the White House and the wide world of politics every day -- from Rick Klein by bookmarking this link.

Fox News’ Carl Cameron reports that former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., is in Boston, Friday and won’t be in Dayton -- and isn’t the pick. ABC’s George Stephanopoulos confirms that Romney is not in Ohio on Friday -- and a source tells Jan Crawford Greenburg that Romney hasn’t been chosen.

No Huckster, either: “There are reports that I’m on my way to Dayton tonight. Not true,” former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., wrote late Thursday in a message to supporters. “Wasn’t invited to be there, and any reports that I’m going to be there are a big surprise to me. I have never been contacted by the McCain campaign at any point about the VP slot.”

And a plane from Alaska had the overnight/early morning buzz on Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska; Karl Rove tells Fox News that it “smells like” it’s her.

But ABC’s Kate McCarthy reports that, per Palin spokeswoman Sharon Leighow, Palin is at home in Wasilla, Alaska, on Friday, with plans to attend the Alaska State Fair -- and won’t be in Dayton, either.

Continue reading today's Note by clicking HERE.

ABC News' Hope Ditto contributed to this report.

August 29, 2008 in Biden, Joe, Bush, George W., Giuliani, Rudy, Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Palin, Sarah, Romney, Mitt, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (161) | TrackBack (0)

The Note: Biden, Bayh See Stocks Rise for Veep

August 18, 2008 8:30 AM

ABC News' Rick Klein reports in Monday's Note: All he needs is experience . . . that reinforces his message of change . . . while bringing geographic/ethnic/ideological diversity . . . and fluidity at world affairs . . . without upsetting Hillary Clinton supporters . . . or the liberal left . . . in the package of someone who’s ready to be president . . . who won’t make it harder to hope and dream . . . or overshadow the man at the top of the ticket . . . or say something dumb . . . or be too boring to be relevant.

(Still wondering why it’s taken him so long to choose?)

It’s decision time for a back-from-vacation Sen. Barack Obama -- and yes, our cell phones are charged and ready to receive any important communications.

(DQMOT -- but the smart money puts the pick in the latter part of the week -- when Obama’s schedule is wide open.)

(And have recent events changed the criteria? How many contenders are in Georgia by invitation right now?)

One thing the Obama campaign has done right: We are now so conditioned to think it won’t be Hillary Clinton that the why-isn’t-it-her storyline won’t have a long shelf life. (And if it is Hillary -- oh boy.)

Read the rest of The Note -- and get all the latest on the 2008 election, Congress, the White House and the wide world of politics every day -- from Rick Klein by bookmarking this link.

One thing the campaign hasn’t proven it’s done right: We are now so close to the start of the convention that a the pick takes on more importance and is guaranteed more quick, harsh scrutiny -- which will mean a welcome-to-the-big-leagues couple of news cycles for Obama’s No. 2.

It’s an uneasy time for Democrats -- winning in the polls, but not by enough; behind the standard-bearer, but still dealing with Clinton drama; excited about the ticket, but not sure yet what that ticket will look like.

“Think of the choice Sen. Obama has to make about his running mate as if it's a horserace of contenders running through his head his heart and his gut,” ABC’s Jake Tapper reported on “Good Morning America” Monday -- with Tim Kaine surging early and Joe Biden coming on strong.

And don’t forget a dark horse: “There's talk of Hillary Clinton and former senator Sam Nunn,” Tapper reports.

ABC’s George Stephanopoulos tags Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., who’s in Georgia on Monday at the request of the Georgian leader, as the favorite: “I think he probably is [the favorite] right now -- which means he’s not going to get it.” And regarding Clinton: “If you gave me 50-1, I’d take it.”

On timing: “A person familiar with the campaign's planning noted that Obama's schedule at the end of this week is open, but said the announcement could come ‘as late as the weekend,’ ” Ben Smith and Glenn Thrush write for Politico. “As a candidate whose currency has been his personal story, in choosing his running mate, Obama will also be choosing a narrative.”

Continue reading today's Note by clicking HERE.

ABC News' Hope Ditto and Amanda Temple contributed to this report.

August 18, 2008 in Biden, Joe, Bush, George W., Clinton, Hillary, Giuliani, Rudy, Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Palin, Sarah, Romney, Mitt, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred, Veepstakes | Permalink | User Comments (23) | TrackBack (0)

The Note: Obama Seeks Unity but Dem Drama Remains

August 15, 2008 8:29 AM

ABC News' Rick Klein reports in Friday's Note: We wouldn’t have known what to do without you, really. You were with us from Iowa and New Hampshire to Pennsylvania and Indiana, at two dozen debates and inside umpteen FEC reports, through superdelegates and a supersized nomination season.

We suppose you were coming to Denver anyway, your ticket reserved by history, purchased by the media, and punched by a former president.

Now you’re coming to your biggest stage yet. Welcome, Clinton-Obama Drama -- enjoy your stay.

Maybe it was better for the Obama campaign to invite you inside, since you would have made an ugly scene outside. Surely Sen. Barack Obama can afford to be gracious, even to you, since he’ll leave Denver with the only prize that counts.

But the decision to include Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in a roll-call vote at the Democratic National Convention ensures that the nominee’s showcase event will be about something more than the nominee himself: A number approaching half of the delegates in the hall could cast a ballot for a candidate who is not Obama.

Read the rest of The Note -- and get all the latest on the 2008 election, Congress, the White House and the wide world of politics every day -- from Rick Klein by bookmarking this link.

(And, before we continue: *Did Obama get what he wanted* by having his first joint appearance with Sen. John McCain focus on the topic of religion?)

(Did Republicans get the pictures they were waiting for when Obama finally took his shirt off to go bodysurfing in Hawaii Thursday?)

Three of the four convention nights could very well be dominated by Clinton storylines (arrival, then back-to-back speech nights, and the Wednesday roll call itself), with so much of the fun stuff -- not to mention the party’s lingering divisions -- playing out in the open.

Savvy and gracious gesture that soothes tensions and unites the party while giving Clinton’s supporters something productive to cheer about? Or unnecessary and dangerous capitulation that only underscores questions about whether Obama is ready to lead? (If he can’t control his own convention . . . )

(As in so much in this race, might this be for two people named Clinton to determine?)

“With Mrs. Clinton scheduled to deliver a prime-time speech in Denver, a state-by-state roll call vote increases her time in the convention spotlight,” Jeff Zeleny writes in The New York Times. “The former rivals never spoke directly about the matter, but advisers said Mr. Obama encouraged Mrs. Clinton to agree to place her name into nomination as a nod to the historic nature of her candidacy.”

Continue reading today's Note by clicking HERE.

ABC News' Hope Ditto contributed to this report.

August 15, 2008 in Biden, Joe, Bush, George W., Clinton, Hillary, Giuliani, Rudy, Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Palin, Sarah, Romney, Mitt, Tancredo, Tom, Thompson, Fred, Veepstakes, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (57) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee Jokes About Gun Aimed at Obama

May 16, 2008 5:42 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: Former GOP hopeful and Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is back in the news this week, making a splash when he took a hit at Senator Barack Obama during the annual National Rifle Association meeting.

Huckabee made an off-color joke during his speech in Louisville, Kentucky, when a loud bang was heard off-stage.

"That was Barack Obama," Huckabee quipped, "He Just tripped off a chair.  He was getting ready to speak.  Somebody aimed a gun at him and he…he dove for the floor."

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

Huckabee was always quick on his feet on the campaign trail.  There was the time the lights went out in the auditorium and he suggested it was a sign from God to wrap up his speech, or the time a cell phone
rang in the audience and Huckabee suggested it might be a McCain supporter calling to tell him to leave the race.  But, did this one cross the line?  After all, a joke about Obama's safety runs a fine line given that Obama accepted Secret Service protection quite early in the race for fear of violence against him. 

The question remains, how might this effect Huckabee's chances at landing the coveted slot at the bottom of the GOP ticket?  Earlier in the week, a U.S. News and World Report blog quoted a top McCain fundraiser as saying Huckabee topped the list for potential GOP vice presidential candidates.  After a week of buzz pertaining to just such a possibility, did Huckabee shoot himself in the foot today in front of the NRA?  Perhaps only John McCain knows.

Calls to the Huckabee camp for comment were not immediately returned.

May 16, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (588) | TrackBack (0)

Bush to Endorse McCain

March 04, 2008 9:43 PM

ABC News' John Berman and Jennifer Duck Report: Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., who clinched the Republican nomination with clean sweep of wins in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Vermont on Tuesday, will visit the White House on Wednesday.

There, according to sources close to the McCain, the Republican Senator will receive the endorsement of President George W. Bush.

Bush and McCain -- rivals in an often bitter 2000 presidential campaign -- will have lunch together and then make a joint statement at 1pm ET, according to a senior administration official.

According to a count by the Associated Press, McCain has reached 1,191 delegates, the magic number to secure the Republican nomination.

McCain's most significant remaining rival -- former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee -- dropped out of the presidential race on Tuesday night.

ABC News' Martha Raddatz contributed to this report.

March 4, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Hunter, Duncan, Thompson, Fred, Veepstakes, Vote 2008: Democrats | Permalink | User Comments (40) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee's Alamo "Our Flag Waves Proudly From The Wall"

March 04, 2008 3:45 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: Governor Huckabee's probable last stand in Texas started with a brief meet and greet at a Dallas polling location.

The location was almost devoid of actual voters, but a group of Huckabee supporters held signs as Huckabee held an impromptu press conference in the parking lot.

The former Arkansas Governor was asked about what may be his final battle while here in Texas. Fond of using Alamo imagery while here in the Lonestar state Huckabee once again spoke of his campaign's similarities to William Barrett Travis' Alamo fighters, "if those folks had come to his (Travis') aid the Alamo might have been a different story. I'm still waiting for the Texans to come to my aide. I've sent them a letter, I've asked them to come with all dispatch. We've answered the cannonade with a cannon shot of our own and our flag still waves proudly from the wall. We shall never surrender or retreat so we'll see which part of the letter holds true today."

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

While Huckabee is quick to say he expects nothing short of victory here in Texas, he spoke at great length about the possibility of a McCain nomination.

"I think Republicans are going to support the nominee and if John McCain is the nominee I think Republicans will support him," Huckabee said. "Question is will he reach out to the strong conservatives in the party and cause them to want to work hard? Will they vote for him, yes. Will they line up and do what they have historically done that causes us win rather than lose elections which is the knocking on the doors and making the phone calls? That's going to be the challenge he'll have. He'll have to reach out and make those voters believe that he cares and will champion their issues, otherwise it'll be a tough sell."

Huckabee also outlined his plans going forward, but would not offer details; offering only that he hoped to be able to spend a night or two at home in Little Rock with his dogs.

"After tonight, regardless of the outcome, whether we win or if we don't, we've got to sit down tomorrow and tomorrow's gonna be a day of sorta looking at the landscape and seeing what's ahead and where do we go from here."

March 4, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Fun & Games on the Huckaplane

March 03, 2008 4:09 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: The Huck-a-press and some of the younger staffers have plenty of time in the air when we can't be on our phones and wireless devices.

When all the work is done we try and catch as many winks as we can in an attempt to stave off trail fatigue. From that necessity has risen a game we call "nap tag" -- when people are sleeping on the plane we make signs with a sharpie and snap a photo of an unsuspecting napper with the sign.

Almost every member of the traveling press (including yours truly) has been both victim and victimizer. Having easily torn through the press and junior staff we went in search of some bigger "gets."

Some good examples of late are Chuck Norris with a sign that read "MH (Mike Huckabee) Can Beat Me Up" or Minute Man Project founder Jim Gilchrist with a sign that read "This Suit Made in Mexico".

But on Monday we landed the big catch: the candidate himself.

As former governor Mike Huckabee slept, his daughter Sarah snuck a sign near him reading: "If I Close My Eyes This Feels like Air Force One".

Sweet dreams as the Republican contender heads into Ohio and Texas, contests in which pundits say Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., may finally be able to claim enough delegates to reach the GOP's magic number of 1191.

For all the latest from the 2008 campaign trail every morning, read The Note, only on ABCNews.com

March 3, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee's Almost Empty Cleveland Press Conference

February 26, 2008 11:49 AM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has taken to Ohio for the day to campaign in the run up to the all important primary here on March 4.

He started the day in Cleveland with a press conference that perhaps didn't go as the campaign had hoped.

Regardless of Huckabee's odds, usually wherever the former governor campaign, the local press descends, with area television and print media taking the lead in questioning the Republican hopeful.

This morning, however, was an intimate availability with only representatives from the four networks that travel with Huckabee every day.  The press conference was announced late Monday in an email from Huckabee's press secretary.

The smaller scale allowed for those present to speak with Huckabee on issues ranging from his private tour of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to the lack of Republican debates.

"There's a race going on and I wish Senator McCain was debating me this weekend. I wish we were gonna be in Cleveland tonight on stage or in Dallas or in Houston or San Antonio or Austin or somewhere between now and Tuesday having a debate," he said, "I think Republicans deserve that across the country. I think certainly Republicans in these states that are voting deserve that and I'm disappointed that we're not in that same kind of forum. I think we should be and it's unfortunate for voters that we're not."

Asked if the Huckabee campaign had approached McCain's campaign about such a debate or forum, Huckabee said, "we've made it very clear that we would love to have, whether it's a debate or a forum or q&a where both of us are there. I think any type of format would be acceptable to us and any location would be acceptable to us."

Huckabee also continued his mantra that the race isn't over until someone obtains the required 1,191 delegates, "we don’t feel there’s any obligation to withdraw from this race until somebody has the nomination clinched with 1,191 pledged delegates." 

He also needled the reporters, noting that each network has a different delegate count. 

"One of the things that I found interesting is every news network has a different number of how many delegates McCain has ... you’d think if this was so settled everybody would have the same number," he said.

"So you guys tell me why none of your networks have the same number, if it’s so clinched, if it’s so absolute, why does no one have the same numbers? And no one does."

February 26, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (22) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee: NY Times Slam 'Best Thing That Could Happen'

February 25, 2008 4:14 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: During an impromptu press conference in Providence, Rhode Island, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee talked a bit more about last week's New York Times article that suggested rival John McCain had been party to an inappropriate relationship with a Washington lobbyist.

Up until now, Huckabee has said only that McCain is a man of great integrity and refused to comment further on the allegations, despite a chorus of criticism from conservative talk radio and others.

But on Monday, Huckabee was asked if this was McCain's "macaca" moment, referring to the infamous incident in which then-Senator George Allen, R-Va., referred to a Democratic operative in an otherwise supportive crowd by the offensive term.

"It's something that could be like that," Huckabee said, "Obviously, that one didn't seem to make a big difference. In fact, if anything it's helped John McCain and I'm kind of hoping the New York Times will take me on and run a nasty front page story -- may be the best thing that could happen to me, certainly was to him."

Huckabee has suggested recently that such a moment could be his ticket to the nomination.

"One word can end a guy's political career, one word, and it's over," Huckabee elaborated. "So when people say I can't be the nominee, until we get to the convention in Minneapolis this fall in September, we don't know absolutely, positively who that nominee is."

To read all the latest from the 2008 campaign trail every day, read The Note, exclusively on ABCNews.com

February 25, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Hunter, Duncan, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (224) | TrackBack (0)

'Live From New York,' It's Mike Huckabee!

February 24, 2008 3:47 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: Ever the good sport, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee spent his Saturday night poking a little fun at himself in front of millions of people. The former Arkansas Governor is becoming a late night comedy staple and Saturday evening he added the jewel to his crown when he appeared on the "Weekend Update" segment on "Saturday Night Live."

Playing dumb Huckabee asked "Weekend Update" anchor and SNL head writer, Seth Meyers to explain delegate math to him and why so many in the media are saying his candidacy is a statistical impossibility.

"Basically it takes 1,191 delegates to clench your party's delegation." Meyers told the Governor, "Even if you won every remaining unpledged delegate, you would be 200 delegates short."

But Huckabee wouldn’t give up, "Wow. Seth, that was an excellent explanation but I'm afraid that you overlooked the all important superdelegates. Don't forget about them."

Meyers pointed out that of course superdelegates are only a feature of the Democratic primaries to which Huckabee could only comically muster an "uh-oh."

Huckabee then spoke to the American people, saying, "Let me assure the American people that Mike Huckabee does not overstay his welcome. When it's time for me to go, I'll know, and I'll exit out with class and grace." Huckabee then proceeded to sit at the news desk, unmoved as Meyers and co-anchor Amy Pohler were obviously ready to move on.

Overall it was a strong performance by the Governor who is fast becoming a pro at deadpan comedy. He has repeatedly appeared on "The Colbert Report" and has even promised the Vice Presidency to it’s host, Stephen Colbert.

Sunday morning, after America had some time to let Huckabee’s antics sink in, the Republican hopeful told CNN’s John King about his night, "It's an awesome experience. The "Saturday Night Live" crew and cast have to be some of the most amazingly talented people in all of America. And they are also some of the hardest working people. You just can't imagine how long the hours are these guys put in. And to put that show together, to do it live, it is truly one of the most remarkable things I have ever witnessed in my life."

Huckabee sheds his comic chops Monday as he resumes his campaigning in key March 4 primary states.

February 24, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

Texas' Perry has Harsh Words for Huckabee

February 22, 2008 9:35 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka reports: In an interview to be broadcast Sunday on WJLA, the Washington, D.C.-area ABC affiliate, Texas Gov. Rick Perry has some fairly harsh words for Republican hopeful Mike Huckabee. Huckabee has previously made it known that the Texas governor told him during a phone call that it was time to leave the race, but for the first time Gov. Perry is going public.

The interview was conducted by WJLA and Politico.com and features a taped question from Huckabee to Gov. Perry. "I'm still available for you to come to Little Rock and make an announcement that you made the mistake not once but twice," Huckabee tells his longtime friend from Texas, referring to the fact that Perry first endorsed former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani before endorsing Sen. John McCain upon Giuliani's departure, "but you want to fix it, and stand where I think a lot of people in Texas stand, which is with a pro-life, pro-family candidate for president who really wants to make a major change in this country including overhauling the tax system."

Perry responded that, while he thinks highly of Huckabee, "I'll put my pro-life, pro-tax cutting Texas economy up against Arkansas any day, any time. I want to win the election in November. The fact of the matter is, John McCain can win that election."

As for Huckabee's continued presence in a race for the GOP nomination that most if not all in the chattering class view as over, Perry says, "We had a mercy rule in six man football in Pan Creek, where I came from, and when you're behind by 45 points at the half, you just go ahead and salute the other side and say well done, and walk away, before anybody gets hurt... I'd suggest to Mike it's time for the mercy rule to go into effect."

Huckabee has been campaigning hard in Perry's state and no symbolism was lost yesterday when Huckabee spoke in front of the Alamo in San Antonio, site of the "last stand" in the battle for Texas independence. That symbolism did not go unnoticed by Gov. Perry either, "I think Mike's already had his last stand. I think it's over for the republican nomination. And I respect Mike but it's time for us as a party to get behind Sen. McCain."

The interview airs on WJLA's "Capital Sunday" this week, on Feb. 24.

February 22, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (34) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee Eyes Deadlocked Convention

February 22, 2008 11:31 AM

ABC News' Teddy Davis and Karen Travers Report: Former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee claimed Friday that if he wins the March 4th states of Texas and Ohio, he can deny Arizona Sen. John McCain the GOP nod, putting the nomination in the hands of pledged -- but not bound -- convention delegates who would choose him as the more conservative candidate.

"If we win Texas, I think it changes the dynamics of this race," said Huckabee. "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."

It's worth noting that Texas and Ohio are winner-take-all by congressional district -- not by statewide vote -- which makes Huckabee's dream scenario more difficult. It's also worth noting that McCain, who has 906 delegates, is so far ahead of Huckabee, who has only 247 delegates, that it is hard to imagine the Arizona senator not getting the 1,191 delegates needed for the GOP nomination in the contests remaining.

But in light of Thursday's New York Times story, Friday's Huckabee interview is an interesting glimpse into the thinking of the former Baptist minister.

Huckabee made his comments during an interview with 1200 WOAI News, a San Antonio radio station.

February 22, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (64) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee Defends McCain

February 21, 2008 11:17 AM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: While speaking with reporters in Houston Thursday morning, former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee defended his political adversary, Senator John McCain.  McCain has come under fire after a New York Times article suggesting that he had a relationship with Washington lobbyist, Vicki Iseman and that he used his political influence with her clients.

Huckabee said of McCain, "You know I have campaigned now on the same stage and platform with John McCain for 14 months, I only know him to be a man of integrity. Today he denied that any of that was true, I take him at his word. I have no further comment other than that for me to get into it is completely immaterial. Again I only know him what I know him to be and that's a good and decent and honorable man."

For the past several weeks Huckabee has suggested that his chances in the race for the Republican nomination hinge upon John McCain not obtaining the required 1191 delegates or the Senator having a "you tube moment" that could turn the tide of the election.  Huckabee refused to comment on whether this was that moment and referred the press to his previous comment. 

February 21, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (19) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee to Make a Cameo on SNL

February 20, 2008 6:39 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: ABC News has learned that former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will be making a cameo appearance on this week's "Saturday Night Live."

This marks the first airing of the show since the writer's strike shut down production after the November 3rd episode.

No other details have been made available on Huckabee's appearance. This week's host is SNL alum, Tina Fey and the musical guest is Carrie Underwood. He would not be the first politican to apper on the popular program. Former Vice President Al Gore hosted the show in 2002 and Democratic Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill., did a cameo in 2007.

February 20, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee: Remember the Alamo!

February 19, 2008 11:17 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: After suffering a solid defeat in Wisconsin, former governor Mike Huckabee says it's off to Texas, home of the next Republican primary on March 4.

According to his public schedule, Huckabee, who lost ground among conservatives in Wisconsin on Tuesday, will visit the Alamo on Thursday.

The Alamo may be a monument fraught with symbolism for Huckabee's campaign; frontrunner Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., has all but locked up the Republican nomination and Texas could give McCain the numerical delegate hold he needs to finally push Huckabee from the race.   

"People sometimes think of the Alamo as a defeat but it actually was the springboard to Texas victory and independence. Had it not been for the Alamo there would not have been a Republic of Texas so there is a lot of history there," Huckabee told reporters in Little Rock as results from Wisconsin arrived.

"We go with a real sense of resolve and purpose and direction and you know a commitment to see it through. . . this time the Alamo story may turn out differently so were going to hope for the hope."

The former Arkansas governor has been criticized by many in his party for staying in the race rather than bowing and rallying around McCain, who sharply criticized potential general election rival Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill., for 'inexperience' when claiming victory on Tuesday. 

"Some have even suggested that the reason I keep going is maybe just over some ego trip," Huckabee explained, "Let me assure you that if it were ego, my ego doesn't enjoy getting these kind of evenings when we don't win the primary elections. It's gotta be something other than that, and it is. It's about convictions, it's about principles I dearly dearly believe in."

In Wisconsin prior to the vote, Huckabee told a crowd of supporters in 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."

Nevertheless, the fight for Huckabee -- at least beyond the Alamo and to March 4 -- goes on.

For all the latest from the campaign trail, read The Note exclusively on abcnews.com/politics every morning.

February 19, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee Reacts to Bush 41 Endorsing McCain

February 18, 2008 5:48 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: In a very snowy Appleton, Wisconsin this afternoon, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee addressed the latest endorsement of his rival Arizonia Sen. John McCain by former President George H.W. Bush.

"Does his voice count more than the millions of Republicans across country?" Huckabee asked rhetorically.

As Huckabee prepares to begin his push in Texas, the endorsement of a Bush could affect the electorate in the Lone Star State. Huckabee doesn't think so, "I know about Texans -- they are very independent people. They are not people who just say follow the leader because someone told them they ought to. I sense that it will not have a huge impact on rank and file Republicans, the people who support me."

Later this week Huckabee will "remember the Alamo" and begin what many see as a last stand in Texas. Huckabee however continues to argue that the nomination belongs to no one until the magic number of 1191 delegates is reached. "We see the last stand only when someone has 1191 delegates." Huckabee said "Other than that we may go all the way to Minneapolis/St. Paul to the convention. It may be a brokered convention... And there's still a possibility that that's what could happen and if it does then there's a good chance I could be the nominee."

February 18, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (19) | TrackBack (0)

'70s Rocker to Huckabee: 'I've Been Ripped Off, Dude'

February 15, 2008 1:07 PM

ABC News Kevin Chupka Reports: There's a battle of the bands brewing out on the 2008 campaign trail. Tom Sholz, founder of the band Boston, penned a letter to Republican candidate Mike Huckabee and asked him to stop using his '70s hit "More Than a Feeling" at campaign events.

In the letter Sholz wrote, "By using my song, and my band's name Boston, you have taken something of mine and used it to promote ideas to which I am opposed. In other words, I think I've been ripped off, dude!"

Huckabee played the song back in October in Clear Lake, Iowa with his band Capitol Offense accompanied by one of Sholz's former bandmates, Boston guitarist Barry Goodreaux. Huckabee has not used the song since performing it in October with Boston alum Goodreaux, choosing instead to play mainly southern rock or country. Standards on the Huckabee stump include Brooks and Dunn's "Only in America," Toby Keith's "How do you Like Me Now", and “Lynard Skynard's "Sweet Home Alabama.”"

Huckabee, who is on his way to the Cayman Islands, was unavailable for comment but campaign manager Chip Saltsman says, "While Governor Huckabee loves the song, along with other Boston hits, we are not using the song in our rallies or events and have in no way implied any endorsement from even Barry Goudreaux."

Saltsman insists the campaign has not claimed an endorsement from the band and that they "appreciate the attention that Mr. Sholz's letter has brought to our campaign and to Governor Huckabee being a being a musician, and he will be available for occasional gigs between campaign events."

Sholz's letter to Huckabee, obtained by Rolling Stone magazine, noted "While I’m flattered that you are fond of my song, I'm shocked that you would use it and the name Boston to promote yourself without my consent" adding his own '08 endorsement "although I'm impressed you learned my bass guitar part on 'More Than a Feeling', I am an Obama supporter."

February 15, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee on His Cayman Jaunt: 'Nobody Asked Sen. McCain Where He Was Last Weekend'

February 13, 2008 10:42 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka reports: Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is making an unorthodox campaign move this weekend; he’s not campaigning.  For a candidate so solidly in the role of underdog, it may seem odd that he would jet off to the Cayman Islands to deliver a speech at the Young Caymanian Leadership Awards.  Huckabee told reporters tonight in Wisconsin (where he is campaigning ahead of Tuesday’s primary there) that this will mark the second such speech to the group.  He spoke at the first such awards about 10 years ago.

The speech has purportedly been on his schedule for several months and is part of Huckabee’s non-campaign related schedule that along with his books is the only way he earns a living now that he is off the Arkansas state payroll.

“I'm the only person who doesn't get paid by the taxpayers to campaign," Huckabee said. "Sen. Obama, Sen. Clinton, Sen. McCain, they campaign every day and I'm paying for their campaigns. I'm paying because I'm a taxpayer, and I have to pay for their Senate salaries even if they are not on duty.”

Huckabee bristled at the line of questioning, wondering, “Nobody asked Sen. McCain where he was last weekend when he was gone off the trail. I'm telling you where I'm gonna be. I told you up front. There will be a few more times when I gotta go out an make sure I can make my mortgage payments just like everybody else has to do. I am not independently wealthy.”

Asked by one reporter about a possible conflict of interest in speaking in a place he rails against in his stump speech for providing tax shelters, Huckabee got a little combative, saying, “OK, first of all let’s get something straight: I’m not gonna be taking money and parking it in the Cayman Islands. I’m gonna get enough money to come back and pay about 40 percent in taxes on what I earned.  There’s a big difference.  My money’s coming back to the U.S. and the IRS is gonna get most of it, so there’s a big difference.”

He even half-jokingly suggested that some of his opponents might have money sheltered there.

“I may go down there," he said, "and visit one of the post office boxes where some of the other candidates have their money, and maybe one of those banks and see what it looks like down there.”

Huckabee was quick to point out that he’ll only be off the trail for one day.

“I’ll be here Friday, be gone Saturday, be back Sunday,” he said.

Huckabee has one event scheduled for early Friday morning, after which he will jump off the trail to head to the islands.  He will return with a yet-to-be-announced event Sunday night before continuing a normal schedule in Wisconsin on Monday.

February 13, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)

McCain: It Would Be Easier if Huckabee Was Out

February 13, 2008 11:44 AM

ABC News Bret Hovell and Seiko Hayashi Report: Senator John McCain - while professing his continued respect for his rival for the Republican nomination - said Wednesday it would be easier for him if former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee dropped out.

"I don't pretend that I wouldn't like Governor Huckabee not in the race, but I respect his commitment to do so, and his commitment to continuing the race," McCain told reporters in Washington.

"Of course I'd like for him to withdraw today. It would be much easier." he added.

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

McCain, R-Ariz., who beat Huckabee in three primary contests on Tuesday, has suffered criticism from many in his own party who question his conservative credentials. Huckabee meanwhile has been racking up support from the party's base of Christian conservatives.

"[I] understand why many evangelical Christians would vote for Governor Huckabee," McCain explained. "He is a Baptist minister, and I respect that, and I respect his conservative views and his attraction to them."

McCain was asked about his win over Huckabee in Virginia on Tuesday – a race that looked very tight as early returns were coming in, but widened as the night progressed.

"We beat him by nearly 10 percent…" McCain said. "In any election I've ever been involved in, a 9 percent cushion is very good."

February 13, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Hunter, Duncan | Permalink | User Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee on DC Voting Rights and the GOP Veep-stakes

February 12, 2008 10:35 AM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports; In a morning breakfast with Washington-area political reporters, GOP hopeful Mike Huckabee said he wasn't interested in pursuing a third-party White House run or an entry into the race for a Senate seat, should the current race for the GOP nomination tip in Arizona Sen. John McCain's favor.

The Senate question, in fact, elicited a classic Huckabee-an response. The former Arkansas governor said he would sooner dye his hair green, tattoo himself and go on a "rock tour with Amy Winehouse".

Also of note to the Beltway reporters was Huckabee's stance on D.C. voting rights.  He has been asked about it before; especially over the past few days as he campaigned in and around the nation's capital, and has said he is in favor of DC's right to representation.  This morning however, he clarified his position saying he supports the idea of a Representative in the House, but not any such presence in the Senate.

Huckabee was also asked to describe what he would look for in a Vice President.  He said the number one qualification is for someone who can assume the presidency at a moment's notice without incident, but also someone that could fill in holes in the president's experience.  Asked what a Huckabee Vice President would need to possess, Huckabee joked that he had no short comings but that common perceptions exist suggesting governor's lack foreign policy experience.

Huckabee now flies home to Little Rock where he will watch results of the Potomac Primaries today and speak with the media once those tallies come in.

February 12, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee Fires Back at Karl Rove

February 10, 2008 2:49 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: Former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee continued to answer question Sunday as to the status of his candidacy. His viability in the race has come into question of late thanks to many inside the beltway all but handing the GOP nomination to Senator John McCain. Huckabee bristles, however, at calls to drop out, arguing that the race is a campaign and not a "coronation."

In a press conference in Lynchburg, Virginia Sunday afternoon Huckabee reacted to claims from Karl Rove that Huckabee simply couldn’t win the nomination. On CBS’ "Face the Nation" this morning Karl Rove told moderator Bob Shieffer when asked if Huckabee could win, "No. Going into last -- after super Tuesday, for Huckabee to win the nomination, he'd have to take 83 percent of the delegates who are yet to be elected or who are unbound. Bob, you heard it from him, himself. He said he could win, provided that there were mistakes made by his opponent, and that some of these bound or pledged delegates would change their mind. Well, even if they change their mind, they're bound or pledged to vote for the candidate who won their primary."

Huckabee responded in kind, "Karl Rove has also maxed out personal contributions to John McCain so I’m not saying he doesn’t know what he’s talking about politically, but he’s not infallible either. And the point is, Karl is a supporter of John McCain. And I’ve not had my supporters yet to tell me to get out of race."

As for the calls from many in his own party suggesting Huckabee drop out? Huckabee says he’s just playing by the rules of the game, "I’m really not very persuaded by the party officials and the party establishment who come out now and are saying ‘Oh, well John McCain has 700 delegates, we oughta just quit.’ Well when they wrote the rules it said you had to have 1,191."

Huckabee, who is fond of speaking about the 1976 campaign and his support of Ronald Reagan during the primary season, was asked why, if that was so pivotal, did the GOP not hold onto the White House in the end. Careful not criticize President Ford Huckabee suggested that it had to do with energizing the GOP base, something no one has been able to do yet this cycle, "if we do not have a candidate who can excite the base of this country, and particularly the base of our party and make them energetic and going out and getting the folks to put the yard signs in and making phone calls and traveling all over the country asking people to vote, we can lose again.

February 10, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (39) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee At CPAC

February 09, 2008 12:22 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka reports: Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee received a very warm welcome this morning at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) here in Washington DC. The reception lasted the entire length of his speech as a crowd full of Huckabee supporter repeatedly cheered for their choice for the Republican nomination.

Huckabee was, of course, speaking at the same event that just days ago saw Mitt Romney tell his supporters he would discontinue his bid for the GOP nomination. Huckabee took his turn at the CPAC podium, however, to tell his supporters that he has no such plans. "Am I quitting?" Huckabee asked. "Let's get that settled right now. No, I'm not."

As to why? Huckabee has been pressed to explain the scenario in which the delegate math could turn in his favor, leading to the Republican nomination. "Folks, I didn't major in math, I majored in miracles," he told the crowd gathered at the Omni Hotel in Northwest Washington DC, "and I still believe in those, too." Believing, as he said multiple times on the stump Friday, that the nomination is not a coronation but truly a choice, he told his audience that he is "stay (ing) in this race not to be a fly in the ointment" but rather to offer a true choice to the many states that have yet to cast primary ballots.

While he addressed the claims that his campaign was limping forward, Huckabee spent the balance of his time enumerating his conservative credentials and, of course, focused on his faith. In fact he started the speech with a little Biblical humor, quoting Ecclesiastes 10:2 to the group of right wing conservatives: "A wise man's heart directs him toward the right."

Huckabee, while pointing out that he is the one to get all the faith questions in the many Republican debates, told his faithful, "The reason that America is a great nation is because America is a special nation, and the reason it is a special nation is because it was founded by people who were first on their knees before they were on their feet," referring, of course, to the faith of our founding fathers.

After his speech Huckabee spoke with reporters and was asked, as he is almost daily these days, if he would consider running as a Vice Presidential candidate under Senator John McCain, Huckabee evaded, but ever the quick wit said, ""There was once a Huckabee-McCain ticket. My wife's maiden name is McCain. Almost 34 years ago, the Huckabee-McCain ticket became one, the Huckabee ticket."

In all seriousness, however, Huckabee said he hoped today’s speech solidified his support with a GOP base that is not just reticent, but down right scared, to back the former Baptist minister. "I hope that today I solidified, my bona fides as a conservative are certainly genuine going back to a very conscious decision I made as a teenager. It was not for me something that I grew up in but I made as a conscious choice and one that sort of went against the grain of my culture of my family traditions and so there I think the authenticity of it has some meaning."

February 9, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy | Permalink | User Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

Huckabee: "I Still Believe in the Impossible"

February 08, 2008 12:33 PM

ABC News' Kevin Chupka Reports: Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee needs a lot of things to fall his way and plenty to go wrong for Republican front runner, Sen. John McCain, but as Huckabee said this morning, "I still believe in the impossible."

In his first campaign rally since the departure of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney from the Republican race, Huckabee told an audience of about 1,100 at Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas, "an election is about a choice not a coronation, and ladies and gentlemen I'm gonna make it clear, conservatives in the Republican party ought to have a choice for somebody who is unapologetically, one hundred percent, without any flinching at all, pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, and pro-fair tax and pro-secure the borders."

In a press conference following the rally, Huckabee was asked just how he thinks he can win the nomination with McCain, R-Ariz., so far ahead.

"Let's say we get to the convention and Romney releases his delegates. They can come towards me," Huckabee replied. "There's also a lot of factors that can happen. Any given day, a candidate can say one word and it gets YouTubed and his campaign's done."

While it may seem like he is hoping for lighting to strike the same spot multiple times for his campaign to succeed in Minneapolis this summer but then again, this is the man for whom impossible may not apply.

February 8, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Hunter, Duncan, Palin, Sarah | Permalink | User Comments (20) | TrackBack (0)

Let the Veepstakes Begin!

February 08, 2008 12:04 PM

ABC News' Ron Claiborne Reports: For the first time, Senator John McCain described the kind of person he would look for in a running mate if he wins the Republican nomination.

"The fundamental principle behind the selection of any running mate will be that person is fully prepared to take over, and shares your values, your principles, your philosophy and your priorities," McCain said on Friday in Norfolk, Virginia, in answer to a reporter's question.

Until now, McCain had brushed off any veepstakes questions as premature.  Times have changed.

"Obviously, if I'm the nominee, we'll start the process. And, again, I don't want to discount the candidacy of Governor Huckabee. He's in this race."

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, however, is no longer in the race (and we mean this race), prompting many political pundits, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, to confirm McCain is their man in 2008.

WATCH GINGRICH ON 'GMA' BY CLICKING HERE.

McCain said he would not necessarily seek geographical balance in selecting his number two.

"Former president Clinton and former vice president Gore showed that you don't have to be regionally different," he said. "I think that America is such now that regional differences doesn't play the role that maybe they did in earlier times."          

February 8, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Hunter, Duncan, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (53) | TrackBack (0)