Huckabee wins West Virginia caucus — despite surprisingly strong showing by Mitt? Update: Or weak showing? Update: Team Mitt whines about “backroom deal”
posted at 2:31 pm on February 5, 2008 by Allahpundit
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I can’t find WV polls to gauge, but Martha MacCallum claims Romney’s 41-33 win during the first round of balloting was a surprise. Huckabee won the caucus when McCain’s supporters were apparently told to throw their support to him and keep the state out of Mitt’s hands.
Bellwether of Mitt-mentum? Let me look around.
Update: If it’s a surprise, it sounds like a bad one. McCain didn’t show up, for one thing. Plus:
Huckabee bested Mitt Romney, who entered the Mountain State event with the largest bloc of pledged convention-goers. Both men and Ron Paul made in-person appeals to the more than 1,100 convention delegates attending Tuesday’s convention.
But the former Arkansas governor beat his Massachusetts counterpart after delegates for John McCain defected to his side.
Update: Mary K says she thought the Romney camp was counting on this one.
Update: Politico’s hearing what MK is hearing. Romney evidently thought he had this banked.
Update: It’s called strategic voting, Mitt. Get over it.
Update: Karl says the Romney spin is obligatory to remind voters of Huckabee’s stalking horse posture.
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The sheeple have spoken.
sheesh on February 5, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Yep
William Amos on February 5, 2008 at 3:11 PM
The news early this morning was a projected runaway win for Romney.
My how fortunes change. Although completely legal for McCain to push Huck, it’s still slimy.
natesnake on February 5, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Eh, to heck with it.
RON PAUL!
rEVOLution!
Slublog on February 5, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Here, let me quote it for you in its entirety since you seem to be confused:
McCain got the pro military vote. That is why GW wone WV in 2004 we are at least very patriotic.
William Amos on February 5, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 3:14 PM
You really hae room to talk. I was answwering Bnelson question as to why McCain did so well in WV considering he didnt campaign there. He asked me that after I told him Huck woud do well due to Mitt’s mormonism. Then you preceeded to jump in an call BS on WV’s patriotism.
THe idiocy wasnt flowing from me nor is the silliness.
William Amos on February 5, 2008 at 3:15 PM
I am shocked, damn shocked, that the Romney supporters tactics of demonizing McCain and everyone that supports him is not working.
What a shock!
JayHaw Phrenzie on February 5, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Sounds like a plan…but only if I get a blimp.
doubleplusundead on February 5, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Dirty. I’m ashamed of my “so called” evangelical brothers and sisters. I can tell you, it IS because he’s a mormon. Sickening.
JustTruth101 on February 5, 2008 at 3:16 PM
As a supporter of Senator McCain, I just want to say that it is possible for West Virginia to reject Mac and still be patriotic.
Lets leave the negative tactics to Romney, Senator Mccain has far more class than Former Governer Romney and we should follow his example.
JayHaw Phrenzie on February 5, 2008 at 3:17 PM
I don’t see how Romney’s showing in the first vote was particularly weak. The politico story says this:
He actually received 464 votes to McCain’s 176. He only lost when the McCain supporters jumped to Huckabee to deny him a win. It’s how conventions work, sure, but given that he had more votes than anyone else coming in and was only defeated through maneuvering by the other campaigns doesn’t say much one way or the other about his ground game or organization.
Slublog on February 5, 2008 at 3:18 PM
From Geraghty:
I’m getting e-mail suggesting this is nefarious or underhanded, and I’m not sure why. Team McCain needed to make sure Romney doesn’t close the gap, so they vote for the guy who is less of a threat to close the gap in terms of delegates, Huckabee.
http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZDAyYzM5Y2NiZmU0NmU5NDFhZmNlMTQzNTJhN2E1ZTk=
bnelson44 on February 5, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Heh.
“F**k you! I know more about this than anyone in this room!”
Slublog on February 5, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Hey f#ckstick, I’m talking to you live from WV, and you don’t know d!ck about what you are talking about. The brokered convention happened realtime. All news outlets called the race for Romney this morning before the first delegate casted their vote. NOBODY foresaw the this slimy McCain move.
You’d do well to keep your man-pleaser closed.
natesnake on February 5, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Hillary on Fox: I’d be more than happy to go one-on-one with McCain over his statement that he knows little about the economy, considering it’s the number one issue.
Wonderful…
amerpundit on February 5, 2008 at 3:21 PM
How did McCain “do so well” if he only got 16% of the vote?
One can vote for McCain or not vote for McCain and still be Patriotic.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Duuuude, They sold out WV in a way that I’m just not adding up - given they’re a real principled bunch. Oh wait, that’s right, they take Stormfront money. That explains a lot. /sarc
SkinnerVic on February 5, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Heh. They’ve got a blimp!!!11!
Slublog on February 5, 2008 at 3:22 PM
From a strategic standpoint, it’s smart. On a moral and, er, straight standpoint it’s slimy.
amerpundit on February 5, 2008 at 3:22 PM
“Furthermore, Romney’s attack on Bob Dole’s war service for a letter in which he endorsed me, although sent to Rush Limbaugh to scold him is the kind of negatism I won’t stand for. Even despite the fact the letter wasn’t scolding, didn’t endorse anyone, and Romney never attacked Bob Dole! VOTE MCCAIN! WE’RE HONEST! REALLY! NOT DIRTY AT ALL!”
BKennedy on February 5, 2008 at 3:23 PM
It is the way all conventions work.
bnelson44 on February 5, 2008 at 3:23 PM
obviuosly, there is a Mass RINO Conspiracy against Conservatives.
jp on February 5, 2008 at 3:24 PM
I was thinking the words “class” and “McCain” coming up in the same passage captures the true essence of cognitive dissonance
SkinnerVic on February 5, 2008 at 3:24 PM
McCain (heart) Huckabee. Unholy alliance. Makes me despise them each more than before. Just when I thought it wasn’t possible.
Oink on February 5, 2008 at 3:24 PM
I’m well aware of this, as evidence by the fact I was pointing it out to people that made the assumption Mitt couldn’t connect with the general populace.
Politics is slimy, which is reality. However, that doesn’t make it less slimy just because that’s the reality.
amerpundit on February 5, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Wow. Rudy’s really turning up the volume on his McCain endorsement. I’ve gotten two emails today from the withered husk of his campaign urging me to get out and vote for McCain.
Big S on February 5, 2008 at 3:25 PM
It’s time for some intervention. So, you’re going to saw off the last leg of conservatism that’s surviving (the three that made American conservatism unique are already gone) in a futile effort?
Allow me to remind you where the West Virginia Paul-Nuts went; Huckabee.
steveegg on February 5, 2008 at 3:26 PM
You may want to stay out of discussion which go over your head.
I don’t give a flip where the hell you are. It is completely irrelevant! I am not impugning the character or patriotism of West Virginians.
My argument was over William Amos’ claim that a whopping 16% of the vote for McCain showed that he did really well and had something to do with patriotism.
You may want to watch your vulgar and disgusting language.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 3:26 PM
I don’t think McCain said the letter endorsed him. Here is what McCain said about it.
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/046cd9d6-6447-4a55-91bc-44b0bdad8962.htm
bnelson44 on February 5, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Yea, I know. It’s amazing what expendible CAIR/Troofer/Aryan income buys nowadays.
SkinnerVic on February 5, 2008 at 3:27 PM
I was joking.
I’ve already voted in this primary.
Slublog on February 5, 2008 at 3:27 PM
No, we’re just going to be stuck with somebody who, but for the War on Terror, would be far happier as a member of the other <expletive deleted> party.
Happy?
steveegg on February 5, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Thanks for the advice. I’ll pass.
natesnake on February 5, 2008 at 3:30 PM
I know, Slu. You have any suggestions for me in 2 weeks? Wisconsin is a wide-open primary (nobody but the voting machine and I know which primary I participate in, as there is no party registration maintained by the government and all the primary ballots are on the same sheet of paper).
steveegg on February 5, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Allahpundit?
Slublog on February 5, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Oh good: Obama refers to McCain’s old age.
amerpundit on February 5, 2008 at 3:34 PM
It’s been so long since Wisconsin had even a chance of mattering, I don’t even know if I can write in anybody on the Presidential primary ballot. Besides, I don’t think they’ll take a nom de blog.
steveegg on February 5, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Allahpundit Betamale. We’ve got a full name, perhaps no one will know. :-)
amerpundit on February 5, 2008 at 3:41 PM
This pretty much confirms for me that Mitt’s team was depending on this win.
bnelson44 on February 5, 2008 at 3:41 PM
I see somebody got in the Fat Tuesday sauce early :-)
I’m not far behind you, ameripundit. Even if I don’t start drinking before Drinking Right, I’ll be hitting the bottle hard inside of 4 1/2 hours.
steveegg on February 5, 2008 at 3:43 PM
It looks more to me like they’re playing for the ‘Washington outsider’ vote in the west by making it look as though he was cheated - which is likely why they emphasized the first vote aspect.
It may work, but it’s dumb.
Slublog on February 5, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Just like
slimystrategic voting is part of the process, so is covering your @ss with a spin for the loss. If one is a accepted, the other should be, too.amerpundit on February 5, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Thing is Mitt did make a big appeal and even a strategic visit to win WV and didnt
Mitt Talks to WV voters
William Amos on February 5, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Willard can cry all he wants, he will never be President.
Chakra Hammer on February 5, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Neither will McCain, so we all lose.
amerpundit on February 5, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Neither will McCain.
steveegg on February 5, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Great minds and all that…. :-)
steveegg on February 5, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Agreed, though I’m not sure if playing the victim card really works in his favor.
Hollowpoint on February 5, 2008 at 3:52 PM
I wonder what this defeat does to his late night vote in Cali? Most of Mac’s people voted early(presumably), and that new ad that has Romnee bathmouthing Reagan/Bush might make a difference. Rumor has it Rommney has people en route to WV to see if they can steal it.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 3:52 PM
Bwhahahahahahaha That was awesome because you’re serious, right? Bwhahahahaha
ROTFLMAO, McCain………Class……..Bwhahahahahahah
Awesome, you should be a comedian man, seriously.
Geronimo on February 5, 2008 at 3:55 PM
No, it isn’t, it’s sleazy, pure and simple. The caucus goers SAID they only went to Huck to stop Mitt. The purpose of the subsequent voting is to rally the delegates to your cause on your positions. If they had said “Huck’s delegates convinced us with his stands on the issues” that would have been different. I would have congratulated Huck if he’s won on the merits, but he didn’t.
But I don’t have to worry. McCain may get the nomination, but he will NEVER get the presidency. Congratulations, Hillary/Obama. Thanks Huck.
JustTruth101 on February 5, 2008 at 3:57 PM
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 3:52 PM
” wonder what this defeat does to his late night vote in Cali?”
It may be desperation talking, but I want to think that this’ll throw more votes to Romney. People know that politics can be backroom and underhanded, but I want to think that they don’t like it so brazenly shown.
“Rumor has it Rommney has people en route to WV to see if they can steal it.” Wow. Just wow.
P.S. you mean steal it back, dontcha?
dish on February 5, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Good luck, Hillary!!
Good luck, Obama!!
McCain will ride into oblivian without my vote.
Onager on February 5, 2008 at 4:00 PM
You may be right.
bnelson44 on February 5, 2008 at 4:02 PM
If MAV’S people want to switch to Huckmania that is there choice. There is no evidence here that Mac pulled the strings on this deal. Again, Romney cannot unite anyone either.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Mitt should have thought about strategic voting before he and his supporters started disparaging Huckabee in Iowa.
Complete7 on February 5, 2008 at 4:03 PM
All of Mitt’s ill will toward HUCKMANIA is coming full circle. It’s more of that arrogance the body language chic was talking about.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Get used to it. That Lame Duck will be totally stomped by the Democrats, who’ve held their fire thus far. He’s gonna look ancient next to Obama OR Hitlery.
Nice to see Mc Cain and Huck Hucking over conservatives before they even try to take office. Boy, and we thought W was a disappointment. Bend over and get ready to take it, taxpayers.
NTWR on February 5, 2008 at 4:05 PM
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 4:03 PM
ummmm
“McCain delegate John Vuolo said former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer approached him and other McCain supporters at the convention and told them he had spoken to McCain, and that the best thing to do was to support Huckabee in the hope that Huckabee could beat Romney in this winner-take-all state.”
http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/02/05/paul-eliminated-wva-gop-convention-voting-ends-without-winner/
dish on February 5, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Mav needs to fly to Salt Lake for a victory dinner and strippers.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Looks like cash can’t buy manners.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 5, 2008 at 4:07 PM
What the Huck are you even talking about?
NTWR on February 5, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Huck talks this Christian talk,, out there making comments about Jesus and Christmas and bringing Jesus back to the America,, yet he’s out there to prop up McCain. McCain,, who hates Christians and conservatives??!!
It is just so sickening! Huck is as big a slime as Clinton or McCain!
JellyToast on February 5, 2008 at 4:11 PM
What’s worth whining about in this situation is that ONCE AGAIN, McVain is defying the will of the voters by pulling scandalous, dirt-bag tactics.
I didn’t think I’d sit it out, but I really can’t imagine voting for someone with such character flaws as McVain. And I sure as hell won’t defend him against the Democrats.
NTWR on February 5, 2008 at 4:15 PM
McCain’s problem is he wont be able to pull this stuff in the general election. There are no delegates to buy. McCain doesn’t have the principled support needed to win.
HuckaGibot has the last laugh in WV. Good for him.
csdeven on February 5, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Mike is clearly a tool. He is the leader of the largest portion of the Evangelical vote, bowing down to McCain, who doesn’t think the social issues that are crucial to Evangelicals are all that important. As far as I can tell Mike Huckabee is well on his way to successfully and permanently compromising the Evangelical Movement.
Tim Pancoast on February 5, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Word.
Wait a second, ‘blarg’ isn’t a word.
John from WuzzaDem on February 5, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Agree with Romney campaign’s take.
mikeyboss on February 5, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Something tells me all of this proping up McCain is revenge to the conservatives (and talk radio) of the amnesty revolt.
stenwin77 on February 5, 2008 at 4:36 PM
Why is it whining, AP? It was a deal made backroom or not. what would you have Mitt do? Smile and say “awe shucks, that was a good plan guys. you really pulled one over on old Mitt!” No, you put foot to ass(or a press release) and call it like you see it.
Don’t be such a beta-male.
liquidflorian on February 5, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Suit yourself. You’re using foul language to me over nothing since I never said that West Virginians were unpatriotic.
If you want to spew disgusting vulgarities, it might behoove you to have a reason to do so because what you did makes you look totally unhinged.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 4:42 PM
I thought McCain was on the second ballot, but his supporters were instructed to go to Huck. That seems shady to me.
mikeyboss on February 5, 2008 at 4:49 PM
Who says I’m not?
natesnake on February 5, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Cancer in my Hot Air? It may be more serious then you think!
liquidflorian on February 5, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Yeah, if say 60% or 70% of McCain’s delegates went to Huck I’d call it strategic voting.
When it’s 100%, it’s clearly collusion.
BKennedy on February 5, 2008 at 5:16 PM
The more I think about WV, it seems a strategic error on the part of McCain in the sense that it allows the Romney campaign a vignette to bolster their “anti-establishment candidate” message. It might have been better for McCain to give up those 18 delegates than give Romney this talking point.
If Romney stays close and in the race this evening, expect to hear about the WV convention a lot more, because even if it is just the way the system works, it feels slimy enough to backfire against the Maverick™.
That having been said, it’s going to take a miracle if Romney’s in the race tomorrow noon.
Slublog on February 5, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Excellent analysis. I think a lot of things are ready to backfire on McCain right now, this being just one of them.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Agreed. This may (and I think should) come around to bite them in the posterior, but Huckabee and McCain are such huge horse’s posteriors to start with, it may not make much of a dent.
EyeSurgeon on February 5, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Robocall report:
Mike Huckakbee just called me to tell me all about his wonderful victory in West Virginia, and asked me to come out and bring a friend, even if the weather is bad.
Buy Danish on February 5, 2008 at 5:46 PM
As much as I hate to disagree with you Slu (snicker), I don’t think it’ll get that much play or help Romney much even if he does reasonably well tonight. Romney has tried to push the “Washington Outsider” / “Change” meme, but poorly- GW got away with it because he came off more as a “man of the people”, where Mitt really doesn’t. Also, for an “outsider” Mitt has very much played the part of a politician in his campaign, complete with negative ads of his own.
Had McCain let Romney take it, it would’ve given him an early win on the most important day of the race- now all we’ll be hearing about returns on the East Coast that are expected to go to McCain.
Hollowpoint on February 5, 2008 at 6:01 PM
McSleaze/Shuckabee ticket, party of two ingrates. Your presidental chair is awaiting.
/still not voting for McCain, and will definitely vote for the Dem side if Huckabee is his Veep.
Enoxo on February 5, 2008 at 6:04 PM
If Romney won you would hear nothing. The MSM is solely invested in McCain’s campaign. They will do everything in their power to make sure he is the nominee, and then they will destroy him in the general. The media and party establishment dispise Romney.
BKennedy on February 5, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Allow me to ReWrite< that…
steveegg on February 5, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Haha. We’ll always agree that the field sucks, right?
Yup. The Maverick™ is going to clean up in the Northeast.
But Maine held out. It’s a matter of small pride, but pride nonetheless.
Slublog on February 5, 2008 at 6:26 PM
“Both men and Ron Paul”
So Ron Paul is no longer male?
91Veteran on February 5, 2008 at 10:33 PM
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