Fox News, AP call it for McCain; Update: Huck blames Fred for loss?
posted at 9:19 pm on January 19, 2008 by Allahpundit
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He’s the presumptive nominee now, especially with Rudy fading. How do you feel?
Update (Bryan): I feel like it’s hard to see either McCain or Huckabee winning the nomination. Huckabee can’t win in South Carolina, a southern state with a heavy evangelical contingent. McCain won overall but doesn’t appear to have won among conservatives, again. So the top two finishers in SC carry very limited appeal.
The question is, who can unify these voters under the conservative party’s banner?
Update: The good news: Huckabee’s basically done. The breakdown:
He can’t win among non-evangelicals. This makes Florida essentially a three-man race between McCain, Mitt, and Rudy, with Huckabee still around to pull votes from Romney among social cons.
Update: Huckabee’s at the podium now taking veiled digs at Mitt by congratulating McCain on not doing any negative campaigning.
Update: Have a look at the recent Florida polls. What do you think they’ll look like this week? To put it another way, is this the end for Rudy?
Update: A noble defeat:
It’s clear who Huckabee camp is blaming for its squeaker of a loss in South Carolina: Fred Thompson.
After Huckabee’s gracious concession speech — in which he had nothing but kind words for John McCain who he said showed great “civility” — former SC Gov. David Beasley, a Huckabee surrogate, railed against Thompson.
“Fred hurt us in South Carolina,” Beasley began. “He had one goal and one goal only — to distort Mike Huckabee’s record so John McCain could pull it out. No ifs, ands or buts about it….
“One thing about Fred; I love Fred, but Fred’s not stupid….I don’t think he had any intention in South Carolina but to hurt Mike Huckabee…. Had Fred Thompson not been in the race, this would have been an overwhelming, dynamic victory for Mike Huckabee.”
McCain’s team also thinks Fred was the difference.
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sigh……
rslancer14 on January 19, 2008 at 9:19 PM
McCain takes the inside rack into super Tuesday
William Amos on January 19, 2008 at 9:20 PM
How do I feel?
Like drinking.
There’s always Super Tuesday…
Slublog on January 19, 2008 at 9:20 PM
I’m feeling a little uneasy right now.
SDnocoen on January 19, 2008 at 9:21 PM
Although, it isn’t Huckabee, so I guess counting blessings is in order.
Slublog on January 19, 2008 at 9:21 PM
McCain v. Hillary. Nightmare scenario.
petefrt on January 19, 2008 at 9:21 PM
And the irony, Fred might just have done it for him in SC. At the expense of Huck. Interesting if Fred ends up crashing and taking Huck with him in the end.
Wineaholic on January 19, 2008 at 9:21 PM
If McCain wins the general election, the leftists will do to him what they did to Nixon.
rockhauler on January 19, 2008 at 9:21 PM
Feel like Super Tuesday may be the last time I step in a voting booth this year.
SuperCool on January 19, 2008 at 9:22 PM
I will not vote if McCain is the GOP nominee. It is just that simple.
JellyToast on January 19, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Explain.
terryannonline on January 19, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Democracy in action! Smells like victory.
Bradky on January 19, 2008 at 9:23 PM
Better McCain than Huck.
NeoconNews.com on January 19, 2008 at 9:23 PM
McCain v. Hillary
I would stay home if not for 1-2 SCOTUS spots that are going to open up…not that I trust McCain to appoint originalists.
RWyankee on January 19, 2008 at 9:23 PM
Looks like Florida is another make or break for Mitt. Its the last chance before super tuesday. And Rudy is there to keep Mitt down.
William Amos on January 19, 2008 at 9:24 PM
I’d feel fine with McCain, personally. I dont think he can win; but what can you do? The idgits have spoken.
lorien1973 on January 19, 2008 at 9:24 PM
CNN Just called it for McCain as well
William Amos on January 19, 2008 at 9:24 PM
icky
Domino on January 19, 2008 at 9:24 PM
CBS and CNN call it, too.
amerpundit on January 19, 2008 at 9:24 PM
now we need to root for Giuliani in Florida, we need someone to take votes away from McCain on super Tuesday.
RWyankee on January 19, 2008 at 9:25 PM
The end of reason is here. McCain is the consensus candidate of people who can only remember Amnesty for 6 months.
Igor R. on January 19, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Sounds good. Let’s do it.
Vizzini on January 19, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Yep.
If not Fred, Mitt.
If not Mitt, Rudy.
If not Rudy, McCain.
If not McCain, cry in my beer and vote for the televangelist over the Glacier or the Obomination.
peski on January 19, 2008 at 9:26 PM
I think Romney actually had a pretty bad day today. Yes, he picked up delegates in Nevada, but the media will spin it as the “Mormon effect”. He also did poorly in SC, getting more than doubled up by McCain. I doubt he takes Florida.
Big S on January 19, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Ouch, analyst saying it’s over for Huckabee…
Vizzini on January 19, 2008 at 9:28 PM
According to the exit polls on Fox, self-described “conservatives” broke evenly among McCain and Huck for their #1 choice. That word must mean something different in South Carolina than it does in the rest of the country.
Dudley Smith on January 19, 2008 at 9:28 PM
McCain has won two states, and placed 2nd in none. Romney has won 3 states, and came in 2nd in Iowa and New Hampshire. Mitt has by far the most delegates so far, and the most money going into Florida and Super-Tuesday.
McCain is only the Republican front runner as far as the MSM is concerned.
joncoltonis on January 19, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Honestly? Better than if it were the Huckster.
Hannibal Smith on January 19, 2008 at 9:29 PM
I’ve just consulted my Magic 8 Ball and am prepared to make the following prognostication:
McCain will be the eventual Republican nominee and Huckabee and Romney will go down in history as spoilers for the Thompson campaign.
Yeah, I realize that the Romney and Huckabee supporters will protest that their candidates have performed better than Fred, so how could they possibly be the spoilers. Indeed, Fred is the spoiler.
Here’s how:
If it weren’t for the power of Romney’s personal wealth, the largest portion of his supporters would be supporting Fred. If it weren’t for the wealth, Romney would be a non-factor.
If it weren’t for the power of Huckabee’s Christian identity, the largest portion of his supporters would be supporting Fred. If it weren’t for Huckabee’s religious expression, he would still be non-factor.
It’s likely that Fred would be the eventual nominee based on the power of his principles, his stances on the issues and the strength of his personality, but his support was divided by extraneous considerations.
FloatingRock on January 19, 2008 at 9:30 PM
McCain won New Hampshire and SOuth Carolina which are very big states in the Primary process.
Mitt won Montana and Nevada which no one else contested and Michigan where his father was governor.
William Amos on January 19, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Let’s look at the bright side.
Huckabee lost.
Lehosh on January 19, 2008 at 9:31 PM
McCain will have a screw up, that he will try to cover up, and the leftists will crucify him for it.
rockhauler on January 19, 2008 at 9:32 PM
Here’s McCain’s daughter’s blog.
http://mccainblogette.com/
She reminds me a less skanky, more tacky brooke hogan.
ninjapirate on January 19, 2008 at 9:32 PM
Giuliani MUST win Florida, to keep states like NJ and PA out of McCain’s hands on Super Tuesday.
RWyankee on January 19, 2008 at 9:32 PM
Chris Matthews asks Mitt Romney a VERY serious question:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvX_R9jdvBY
joncoltonis on January 19, 2008 at 9:32 PM
I think as republicans we have to look at the process because we seem to nominate those who have long term standing in the party. McCain has had alot of dealings with the party far more than most others.
We still seem to be a party where the Rank and File is led by party leaders than the other way around.
William Amos on January 19, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Apparently, Fred is not inevitable. Dang.
VolMagic on January 19, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Tonight- Emergency Radio Broadcast
We will win this election, but not with Huck or Maverick.
JustinHiggins on January 19, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Check the exit polls again.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21228202/
Conservatives split between Huck and McCain.
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Right now Guiliani is losing NEW YORK and New Jersey to McCain. And California is McCain territory as well.
William Amos on January 19, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Let’s face it, Fred ran a lousy campaign.
First he farted around, Mario Cuomo-like, about running, thereupon losing huge amounts of potential support and momentum. Then he spends a few month imitating Perry Como in intensity, then he debates and refuses to kick the resurgent ancient wackjob McCain in the huevos (figuratively, of course), thus not taking a strong conservative stand against the greatest single danger to our party unity.
As much as I liked Fred, along with millions of other concerned conservatives, he was a pretty thin reed to have hung so many hopes on.
TexasJew on January 19, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Presumptive nominee my ass. It’s now a three man race and I don’t feel bad about Romney’s chances on Super Tuesday at all it becomes a two man race at that point.
Again, if McCain is the Republican nominee, any disappointed conservative can only blame themselves for not coalescing around Romney. There is no good reason not to, especially with the alternatives otherwise.
Patriot33 on January 19, 2008 at 9:35 PM
I can’t believe so many people here still don’t get it…Romney is a genius. He wasn’t competitive in SC, so he stayed out of it to let either McCain or Huck knock the other one out and it looks the Huckster is the big loser …unfortunately Fred is out, too, which stinks.
But when TRUE conservatives have to choose on Super Tuesday between McCain and Romney, Romney will blow him away.
The MSM is petrified of Romney, because they know he can beat either Hilary or Obama and that he cannot be bought because he has too much integrity. The MSM loves McCain, because if they can’t have a democratic liberal, they’ll take McCain because he has so many liberal tendencies.
Gooooooo Mitt!
JustTruth101 on January 19, 2008 at 9:35 PM
I think I like McCain a little more now. What’s her phone number? :P
lorien1973 on January 19, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Actually, Romney RAISED more money than any other Republican candidate NOT counting his own contributions to his campaign. So, there goes that theory.
I do agree Huckabee would not be getting votes if he were Catholic however. Just like Barrack Obama would not be getting so much media play if he were the white freshman senator from Illinois.
joncoltonis on January 19, 2008 at 9:36 PM
Well I said it and it seems to be true Mitt’s Mormanism will not sell in the South.
William Amos on January 19, 2008 at 9:36 PM
If FL Huck supporters leave Huck they will probably go to McCain, not Rudy and definately not Mitt.
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 9:37 PM
That is a real fancy way of saying that Thompson had one of the worst run campaigns of all the candidates. His lack of energy and enthusiasm probably won’t help him for the VP stakes.
Look for Mitt/McCain/Rudy to go with Hunter for the conservative balance and California connection (at least cause the dems to spend more of their money there)
Bradky on January 19, 2008 at 9:38 PM
And yet, many would/could still argue that such a thin reed was still the best hope, ideologically. In such a crazy state, a political party might end up with front runners that don’t reflect the party base on some major issues… and here we are. Strange days indeed.
Wineaholic on January 19, 2008 at 9:38 PM
seriously, what a bunch of butterflies
oohhhh the MSM is blowing this way
wheeeeeeeeeeeeee
seriously I am glad I am in Mexico
I wanna suicide after reading that drivel
thats so delusional I could cry
windansea on January 19, 2008 at 9:39 PM
He will probably have a problem in the bible belt as well.
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 9:39 PM
FTFY
TexasDan on January 19, 2008 at 9:39 PM
McCain v. Hillary. Nightmare scenario.
err, or easy GOP win.
treyevans on January 19, 2008 at 9:39 PM
The place to watch: Florida Republican Primary
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 9:40 PM
McCain is the presumptive nominee only to the Drive-Bys. Sen McCain only now (I’m guessing) has more electoral votes than Gov Huckabee because of tonight. Both a far behind Gov Romney. My advice is to ignore what all the barking heads on TV are going to say about campaign momentum for Sen McCain.
Weebork on January 19, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Probably an easy GOP win. Most of us can live with McCain and most Democrats too, but none of us in the GOP can live with Hillary.
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Amazing, isn’t it??
I am embarrassed to be part of the American electorate right now. All I had to celebrate was being a Hunter delegate for all of 6 hours. Now Fred, then Romney, then I get a vacation day in November.
I refuse to be a part of Shamnesty ‘09 if anyone else wins.
Our only hope is that 46 more states get on the ball this year.
With evidence like this, how can anyone still insist on rewarding 12 to 30 million law-breakers with residency, in-state tuition, etc., ad nauseum.
fred5678 on January 19, 2008 at 9:41 PM
Yeah, John McCain’s nomination is going to rally the Republican party much like Bob Dole did. Basically, go over like a lead balloon. Uh, lets see
- He’s been in the Senate for decades
- He’s a certified war hero
- He’s as old as dirt
- He’s ran for President 3 times before
- It’s his turn to get the nomination
Yes, it is! It is Bob Dole! Just a slightly meaner, nastier version of ole Bob. The country is crying out for change and a new direction for American politics, and the Republican’s send out Senator Palpatine as their nominee. Geez us.
joncoltonis on January 19, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Total Delegates
Mitt Romney 72
John McCain 32
Mike Huckabee 27
Why is McCain the “presumptive nominee” again? Because he has more delegates than nearly everyone else combined?
Micheal on January 19, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Not voting for Mitt because he’s a mormom is SOOO crazy…in all the time he governed, not once did his religion influence a decision, so is this just prejudice, plain and simple? Do we really have a country that refuses to condemn violent jihad yet won’t elect a man president because he is too morale? Strange times indeed.
JustTruth101 on January 19, 2008 at 9:42 PM
I haven’t analyzed the raw data but it seem to me that early on Romney spent a lot of his own money and it was only later than he received much in the way of further donations. Also, this election seems to be driven largely by identity politics and it wouldn’t surprise me if, in hindsight, many of Romney’s early donations were made by Mormons. Not that that’s bad, just that I think my observation that Romney’s campaign would have gone nowhere if it had not been for his wealth.
FloatingRock on January 19, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Words cannot express how much I loathe Mike Huckabee. He makes Bill Clinton look sincere.
Buy Danish on January 19, 2008 at 9:44 PM
Today was not quite the nightmare Rudy senario, but it came close. Rudy wanted Huck to knock up McCain enough so that a battered McCain would hobble into FL. As it is, it will be a bolstered McCain coming into the state.
So it will be a tough battle, and more so if McCain can get enough endorsements from Latinos in the state.
70% of the Republicans in FL are latino.
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 9:44 PM
geez, you’re right…only at least Dole was a conservative
JustTruth101 on January 19, 2008 at 9:45 PM
How many of these are committed delegates?
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 9:45 PM
Well I wouldn’t say “not once”.. but at least not in any way different then “mainstream” christians
Micheal on January 19, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Yeah, I guess if The Fred drops out it’s Mitt for me.
ulyses on January 19, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Right, all conservative Republicans should have flocked to the lazy guy who has probably ran the worst campaign and the worst organization than any of the others, as opposed to the super sharp, presidential-looking, qualified, viable conservative who has the most money and has probably run the best campaign of everyone. Makes sense.
How can you people sit here and whine or proclaim the end of this or that, when all that needs to happen to stop McCain and preserve the conservative coalition and movement is to support Romney? Why are so many reluctant to do so? The elephant in the room indeed.
Patriot33 on January 19, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Really? Cool!
FloatingRock on January 19, 2008 at 9:48 PM
We’ll be increasing our population of American citizens (on the dole and eager to vote) by about 30 million in the next year or two.
BowHuntingTexas on January 19, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Don’t know, I just quoted the numbers from CNN
Micheal on January 19, 2008 at 9:50 PM
“The Pathway to Citizenship” just opened a little bit wider … but this thing ain’t over yet.
Chimp 6 on January 19, 2008 at 9:50 PM
There is no way that I will vote for a candidate who endorses amnesty for illegal aliens and also calls me a bigot because I support the rule of law.
dawgyear on January 19, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Happy because the Huckster didn’t win……sad about who did…..
msflea on January 19, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Not surpised that Romeny did so poorly. SC is not a place that puts Northeastern guys on the top of a list.
Dissappointed Fred is pretty much done as he brought a straightforward style discussion to the race.
I am still hoping Romney gets the nomination. Huckabee is nothing more than a demagogue–the closest thing to a Democrat that the Republican party has ever had–and I still cannot, nor will I will ever, get over McCain’s shamnesty.
And I am fine with Mitt’s Moronism. I grew up in a community with a pretty large Mormom population and well, all I can say is, the Mormon girls were usually very pretty! Hurray for choosing my Presidential candidate based on things of substance! Just kidding…sorta.
Montana on January 19, 2008 at 9:51 PM
That’s the problem with these Caucasus. You end up earning delegates that go to other caucuses and can be convinced to change their votes. Nothing is certain until the State caucuses.
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 9:52 PM
What about the theory it took 4 years of Carter to bring us 8 years of Reagan?
Micheal on January 19, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Could’ve been should’ve been.
Sour grapes.
Mcguyver on January 19, 2008 at 9:52 PM
McCain is done after Super-Tuesday. Romney has raised almost 3 times as much money in Arizona as McCain. They are all pissed at McCain over McAmnesty, and Romney won the endorsement of Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
Can’t wait to see McCain answering questions about why Romney won Arizona.
joncoltonis on January 19, 2008 at 9:52 PM
It aint over ’til it’s over.
Go Fred!
TheSitRep on January 19, 2008 at 9:53 PM
We’re looking at a 100% positively for sure Democrat president with a congressional majority. They’ll probably even have more than the 60%. They’ll rule the world. Until they blow it. All because the conservatives will stay home.
On the bright side, short of a miracle for them there’ll never be another Democrat majority again in our lifetime.
Griz on January 19, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Not at all. Expect a Romney vs. McCain smackdown while Giuliani talks up tax cuts and hurricane relief, with a lot of ads on TV and the radio. It’s not likely, but if McCain and Romney go negative on McCain (Romney almost has to at this point, and McCain will respond), Rudy still has a chance to squeak by.
Big S on January 19, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Well then why did Romney spend $4million in the state and buy 1/2 of all the state TV advertising for last month? Seems not something a fiscal conservative would do, does it?
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 9:54 PM
Well thank God for that wealth, otherwise McCain and Hucklebee would be unstoppable.
billy on January 19, 2008 at 9:54 PM
The most important question is if Fred! will endorse a candidate and who?
I really hope he doesn’t back McCain like the old news said he would.
Micheal on January 19, 2008 at 9:54 PM
It’s kind of hard to see the fredheads jumping off the cliff like this. But still pretty funny!
Bradky on January 19, 2008 at 9:55 PM
You can bet hard cash that Romney will go negative on McCain.
bnelson44 on January 19, 2008 at 9:55 PM
oops
Big S on January 19, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Why anyone thinks Romney can beat Hillary in a national election is beyond me. All Hillary will do is nail him on his constantly shifting, opportunistic views, and his lack of experience. And the independent votes that are absolutely critical to winning will not go to Romney, who they’ll view as a “fake” real conservative.
McCain gives the party the best chance to win. Sometimes, you just gotta suck it up.
Potfry on January 19, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Uncommitted!
aero on January 19, 2008 at 9:56 PM
Enough with the Fred already. Love him, but…
HE IS TOO DAMN OLD!!!
Romney/Thompson that’s the ticket.
Agrippa2k on January 19, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Doh! So much for that comment.
Big S on January 19, 2008 at 9:57 PM
Yup.
Allahpundit on January 19, 2008 at 9:57 PM
I agree. I curse the fates but I don’t claim that they are anything other than what they are. The point of my post was that the only way we could have beat McCain is if the race had been between McCain and Fred. McCain verses anybody else and McCain is going to win.
I don’t like it either, but that’s how it goes.
FloatingRock on January 19, 2008 at 9:58 PM
If history serves, we will see McAmnesty as our nominee. So many will sit out if that is true, we might as well say hello to a Democrat president.
Food for thought. What if McAmnesty gets the nomination and chooses Fred for VP?
What if Huckabee bows out before Fred does?
Jay on January 19, 2008 at 9:58 PM
This primary process is doing an awful lot to change my perspective about where I thought the conservative movement was going. It is apparent (at least so far) that how I define conservatism is NOT how others in the republican party define conservatism; and that my definition is in the minority. My definition vigorously excludes McCain and Huckabee, yet that is not how the majority of my party views it (at least that is what these primaries have shown so far). It’s a hard truth to swallow, but so be it. Congratulations to you Huck and McCain supporters, it is apparent that what a majority of the Republican party wants is either a populist Christian candidate, who pits worker against employer, or a deep deep Washington insider, who has done an awful lot to restrict freedom and who plays the tune of a bigger more powerful Federal Govt. I will now go and contemplate my new minority status. Good night and good luck…Courage.
Weight of Glory on January 19, 2008 at 9:59 PM
I’d been out to dinner, so I didn’t see that Hunter dropped out. That’s a shame.
amerpundit on January 19, 2008 at 9:59 PM
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