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Super Tuesday state by state; Updated; Maps, delegate counts added; Video update: McCain claims front-runner status; Veep prognostication

posted at 10:21 pm on February 5, 2008 by Bryan
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Here’s a chart to help keep track of what’s occurred in which states. I’ll keep updating it as the night goes.

super-results.jpg

State GOP DEM
AL Huckabee Obama
AK Romney Obama
AR Huckabee Clinton
AZ McCain Clinton
CA McCain Clinton
CT McCain Obama
CO Romney Obama
DE McCain Obama
GA Huckabee Obama
ID (May 27) Obama
IL McCain Obama
KS (Feb 9) Obama
MA Romney Clinton
MN Romney Obama
MO McCain Obama
MT Romney (June 3)
ND Romney Obama
NJ McCain Clinton
NM (June 3) UND
NY McCain Clinton
OK McCain Clinton
TN Huckabee Clinton
UT Romney Obama
WV Huckabee (May 13)

delegates.jpg

Clinton 825
Obama 732
McCain 615
Romney 268
Huckabee 169

Blog Speculation
McCain to finish 3rd in GA?
Brokered convention for the GOP?
Huckabee as Rodney Dangerfield?

I see down in comments and elsewhere, there’s shock at Huckabee’s strong showing across the South. He’s doing it without money, and the question is how? This is the same question that popped up after Huckabee won Iowa, and I think I have the answer to it. First, he has the mega and medium church network I’ve mentioned before. We’ve all underestimated the power of that network, which doesn’t cost a dime to tap into. It’s all word of mouth from one church or parachurch group to another. Second, his phone banks are all virtual. Shortly before the Florida primary there were reports that he had pulled his people out of that state. That was true to some extent, but it didn’t matter, because the Huckabee campaign relies for much of its non-robo phone work on volunteers who dial in from their own home, wherever they happen to be located, and make calls that are targeted to whichever states the campaign feels like it needs to hit. So he’s running a very lean, almost word-of-mouth operation that’s proving itself to be beyond the usual political radar of ads and such but quite strong in states that are receptive to his mix of social conservatism and populism.

Update: I’ll be on the Rusty Humphries show shortly to talk about the night.

Update: First results are coming in from CA. Hillary and McCain lead.

Update: Here’s how the Super Tuesday votes broke down by state/region. It’s clear to me that Huckabee is very much a regional candidate, but his region happens to be the GOP’s stronghold states in the South. It’s not unreasonable to expect him to take Mississippi and Texas to hold the entire old South minus Louisiana. And at least he has a region. McCain won in all the major winner-take-all states; Romney is a man without a region, essentially.

us-map-gop.jpg

us-map-dem.jpg

Update: McCain sums up the state of the race after tonight.

mccain-super.png

Update: Looking strictly at the maps, McCain would be strengthened in the South by picking up Huckabee or another prominent Southern conservative as a running mate. McCain is weak in the South and weak among conservatives. Phil Gramm would be a likely choice, being born in Georgia but serving in the Senate from Texas and with a nearly unmatched economic conservative pedigree. Where is Gramm on immigration? About where McCain is, making Huckabee arguably the more conservative choice on that issue. Who else does that leave us? TX Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, who has a much weaker social and economics pedigree but a pretty solid national security record. She did vote against shamnesty, so she’s to McCain’s and Huckabee’s and Gramm’s right on that. And the woman factor might offset some of the Democrats’ historic ticket’s built-in advantages. Who else? A prominent Southern governor who has been successful — which brings us back to Huckabee. The problem with Huckabee is that beyond the South and evangelicals, he doesn’t bring much to the ticket and the GOP ought to hold advantages in the South and among evangelicals without Huck on the ticket. It’s hard to come up with a rationale for Romney getting on the ticket, from an electoral map point of view. It’s clear that he’s weakest in the South, not sure he can put anything up North in play. I guess one argument in his favor would be that he might help out in the North, but that’s assuming that the South stays with McCain and no Southerner on the ticket. I’m not so sure that that’s the case. Romney would make a great Secretary of the Treasury. McCain might be silly enough to put his friend Chuck Hagel on the ticket. It would be a massive mistake to do that, but it wouldn’t shock me if he did.

On the Dem side, it’s still a fight but Obama won where the Democrats aren’t likely to win in the fall. Hillary won traditional Democrat strongholds, and in a more broad-based fashion than Obama for the most part. A Clinton-Obama ticket carries a lot of history, but would be a regionalized, two-Senator ticket. Michelle called her pick, assuming Clinton becomes the nominee, for Wesley Clark. That seems likely as things stand now. None of the Dems’ other candidates would bring to the ticket what Clark would in terms of perceived gravitas. I said, perceived gravitas.

Update: Alaska is finally starting to report in on the GOP side. Romney has the early lead.

Update: Flip goes the extra mile on number crunching, with prettier charts than mine. I never claimed to be an HTML god… And yes, I realize that my Dem map has NM for Clinton when it hasn’t been called yet. It was called, erroneously, last night. Right now it’s trending Obama and I have that map ready once it’s official.


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Comment pages: 1 2 3

belad on February 6, 2008 at 12:22 AM

Well, Bryan would have to explain more fully what it means to use the mega and medium church network then to address your point. My church is independent of others and congregational. So, what you are essentially suggesting is that my friends and I can’t have a rousing political discussion over our potluck chicken spaghetti, which is silly. Our first amendment rights don’t stop at the door to the fellowship hall. No candidate is speaking to us or giving us informtion. Maybe that isn’t the kind of network Bryan is talking about, though, so maybe your point is more justified there. But I’m thinking I can talk politics anywhere I want to, even if John McCain doesn’t like it.

TX Mom on February 6, 2008 at 1:02 AM

I voted (Mitt) in CA.

I got my licence to gripe…at least until November.

sulla on February 6, 2008 at 12:49 AM

Me too.

xplodeit on February 6, 2008 at 1:04 AM

Of course, the only reason Huck won WV (by 40 votes I might add) is because all, and I mean ALL (except 12 McCainiacs) the other voters colluded with him.

If either McCain or Huck was out, Romney would have won WV effortlessly.

BKennedy on February 6, 2008 at 1:07 AM

TX Mom on February 6, 2008 at 1:02 AM

I’m not suggesting anything like that, or anything sinister at all. Just a common informal culture, mostly in the Purpose-Driven set of churches that cuts across denominational lines. Maybe “network” isn’t the right word here.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 1:07 AM

Of course, the only reason Huck won WV (by 40 votes I might add) is because all, and I mean ALL (except 12 McCainiacs) the other voters colluded with him.

If either McCain or Huck was out, Romney would have won WV effortlessly.

BKennedy on February 6, 2008 at 1:07 AM

But unless your implying that reports of Romney losing WV did him in, I really don’t think a win in WV would have helped him against the McCain blowout of the big states.

darii on February 6, 2008 at 1:10 AM

A McCain presidency might just get Libermann to switch parties.

William Amos on February 6, 2008 at 1:30 AM

According to figgers released by the CA Sec’y of State’s office, McCain has or will defeat Gov Mitt in every single one of California’s 53 congressional districts. The margin of victory is 12-20 points in almost every district.

Mike D. on February 6, 2008 at 1:30 AM

The media darling and “hero” will soon become “that old Washington fossil, that Republican insider, that prominent member of the Keating 5 corruption scandal, the open borders advocate who flip-flopped to pander to the “nativist” and “bigoted” and “racist” right wing of his party, and who’s doper millionare wife stole narcotics…”

etc., etc., etc.

They played him like a cheap violin… with a schmaltzy intro of “Heart and Flowers” while he was their useful tool, but now he’ll have to face “The Devil Went Down to Georgia“.

Start dancing John… faster… faster…

profitsbeard on February 6, 2008 at 1:32 AM

A prominent Southern governor who has been successful

Jeb Bush or too much baggage ?

William Amos on February 6, 2008 at 1:41 AM

William Amos on February 6, 2008 at 1:41 AM

He would be great except for his last name. Also, weak on amnesty iirc. But Charlie Crist (also weak on amnesty) doesn’t have Jeb’s baggage.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 1:46 AM

He would be great except for his last name. Also, weak on amnesty iirc. But Charlie Crist (also weak on amnesty) doesn’t have Jeb’s baggage.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 1:46 AM

Also I believe is evidence that Jeb worked for Mitt during this years Florida primary and McCain might still hold an anti Bush grudge.

McCain would likely pick a colleague whom he knows personally. He wouldnt be the easiest boss to have and would need someone likeminded to avoid clashes.

William Amos on February 6, 2008 at 1:50 AM

Jeb definitely has too much baggage.

NeoconNews.com on February 6, 2008 at 1:51 AM

William Amos on February 6, 2008 at 1:50 AM

Yup. That’s why I brought up Hagel. On the bad side of that, Lindsay Graham might be a real possibility. But on the good side, Fred Thompson might be a possibility too.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 1:52 AM

He would be great except for his last name. Also, weak on amnesty iirc. But Charlie Crist (also weak on amnesty) doesn’t have Jeb’s baggage.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 1:46 AM

Crist has another pile of baggage of his own, he doesn’t need Jeb’s.

Enoxo on February 6, 2008 at 1:52 AM

I still honestly believe that McCain is going to be choosing Huckabee for Veep, for both the evangelical vote and southern aspect.

Enoxo on February 6, 2008 at 1:54 AM

I guess Hally Barbour is still a possibility.

Elsecould go with Larry Craig he has a wide stance and you have to have a wide stance to accept McCain as a conservative.

William Amos on February 6, 2008 at 1:54 AM

William Amos on February 6, 2008 at 1:54 AM

Heh. Barbour might actually be a possibility. Out of the box, McCain could go with a Tommy Franks or someone in that mold. It would be a military-heavy ticket with no economic experience and Franks is a mystery on the issues, but someone out of the box like that could shake things up.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 1:58 AM

My VP speculation stands–Lindsey Graham.

see-dubya on February 6, 2008 at 2:04 AM

see-dubya on February 6, 2008 at 2:04 AM

If that’s the case, SECOND LOOK AT A VERY HIGH BRIDGE, TALL BUILDING OR A 12 GAUGE.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 2:05 AM

McCain would do well to pick any of the following as his VP, and assuage any conservative fears:

Mark Sanford (Gov. of SC and extremely fiscally conservative)
Zell Miller
Rick Santorum
Gov. of Alaska (name escapes me, sorry)

But he won’t! He will choose some “middle of the road” guy or gal.

SouthernGent on February 6, 2008 at 2:06 AM

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 1:52 AM

About Lindsey Graham, it isn’t my intent to start anything, but since the days of impeachment I’ve heard whispers that Lindsey is a homosexual. If so, surely McCain knows and would not select him as a running mate. If he’s not, then my apologies to Senator Graham for mentioning this.

flyfisher on February 6, 2008 at 2:06 AM

flyfisher on February 6, 2008 at 2:06 AM

Don’t go there. I’m no fan of Graham’s because of amnesty but absent some evidence that’s just a smear of him. And he is an Air Force Reserve officer, so it’s a smear that could hurt him in more ways than one.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 2:09 AM

I wonder if the biggest crisis now isn’t going to be within the New Media (on the right). It is painfully obvious that its influence in offsetting the constant injection of political poison by the MSM into the American bloodstream has been minimal at best. People, now on both sides of the aisle, are so infected with political correctness and ignorance of principle that the only way to describe America’s relationship with New Media is an unmitigated “What, me worry?”.

Our next president will be delusional about “climate change”, will do nothing about the Mexican invasion, and will use class warfare rhetoric. This is what America has chosen, while knowing al-Qaeda seeks the nuclear option. The VP spot could not be more irrelevent, given that so much is already lost.

Halley on February 6, 2008 at 2:13 AM

But on the good side, Fred Thompson might be a possibility too.

If Fred! were ten years younger and not a Senator, that would be likely. As it is, I don’t see two old Senators of the near-South on a ticket together.

calbear on February 6, 2008 at 2:13 AM

Bryan:

Not my intent to smear. If he is the running mate, regardless of military service it will be an issue if it is true. I’ve heard it discussed on local talk radio already.

flyfisher on February 6, 2008 at 2:14 AM

So far, “weak on amnesty” exists in your minds, but not in any electoral results. I’m not saying it’s no issue at all, just it doesn’t loom large enough for McCain to crawl over broken glass for the sake of Michelle Malkin’s benediction, especially when he thinks his own approach, as modified, makes more sense, both as a matter of politics and as a matter of policy.

He’ll make his gestures – but he’s the one with the delegates and the nomination in hand. You’re the ones who, in between vile tirades, just got your butts kicked (I’d use a choicer reference from DIE HARD, but I know this isn’t an R-rated blog). It’s still an open question whether ideological conservatives of the type so well-represented in the blogs and on talk radio, especially compared to a figure like Huckabee who combines political talent with established support, would do more harm than good to a candidate contemplating the kind of race McCain will be running – that is, trying to drag a weakened conservative movement over the finish line on the strength of populists, security voters, independents, and innate conservatives (social cons and older voters). If the ideologues are going to come kicking and screaming only, blithering maximal demands that equate with abject humiliation, during quieter moments muttering defeatist snark and sharpening rhetorical shivs, always on the verge of throwing tantrums or walking out in a snit, McCain’s got better options that represent a heckuva lot more voters, campaign workers, money, and exposure.

That doesn’t mean Huck’s a done deal, but when it comes to people so far to the right or high on their own self-importance that “McCain=Hillary” on the war makes sense and Huckabee’s a leftist, “let the dead bury the dead” may begin to look like a solid, rational choice.

CK MacLeod on February 6, 2008 at 2:14 AM

CK MacLeod on February 6, 2008 at 2:14 AM

I’m not arguing that it’ll make a difference; just looking at the candidates and where they stand relative to issues that I care about.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 2:18 AM

I guess one argument in his favor would be that he might help out in the North, but that’s assuming that the South stays with McCain and no Southerner on the ticket. I’m not so sure that that’s the case. Romney would make a great Secretary of the Treasury. McCain might be silly enough to put his friend Chuck Hagel on the ticket. It would be a massive mistake to do that, but it wouldn’t shock me if he did.

One thing that you have to keep in mind is the premium McCain is likely to put on friendship and loyalty when choosing a running mate. For that reason alone, Romney will not make it on the ticket-McCain overtly dislikes him. I’m pretty sure McCain views himself as conservative enough to win the South without help in a general election, and he’s likely right. He’s orthodox enough on social issues and guns that he’ll likely face little resistance from SoCons once the contrasts with Hillary and/or Obama are made. Hagel’s a no-go, since he negates McCain’s signature issue advantage (the surge), and I’m sure McCain understands that. Keep an eye on the endorsements over the next week to see if Fred Thompson or Mark Sanford inch closer to trying to get the VP nod. I wouldn’t count on it, but it could happen. Anyway, here’s my list, in no particular order

*Mike Huckabee (Proven winner in the South)
*Mark Sanford (Southern governor
*Tim Pawlenty (diminished after tonight)
*Rudy Giuliani (there’s that loyalty/friendhip thing, the Clinton/Gore reinforcement model, and help in blue states; also, notice how much of Rudy’s rhetoric McCain has picked up)
*Jodi Rell (Same logic as Giuliani with a lot of his strengths and weaknesses, but with the fact that she’s a woman helping to counteract the “historic ticket” factor the Dems are likely to have. She endorsed Mac before Florida, IIRC)
*Fred Thompson (a friend, and would help among very conservative voters)
*Peter Pace (if he would go for it, he’d be a strong choice since he reinforces McCain’s military cred AND is fairly socially conservative)

Big S on February 6, 2008 at 2:18 AM

I like the idea of Hutchinson as VP.

The GOP would then be one up on the Dems – having a woman on the ticket who is well qualified to be President.

sulla on February 6, 2008 at 2:21 AM

Hutchinson is a Southerner, which would be helpful.

flyfisher on February 6, 2008 at 2:23 AM

Alaska just went for Romney. He has the most strung-out group of wins of any candidate, I think, but he’s a candidate of the North if anything.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 2:26 AM

Big S on February 6, 2008 at 2:18 AM

Jodi Rell? Never heard of her. Will look her up.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 2:18 AM

And, Bryan, I certainly wasn’t aiming my post chiefly at you personally – even if I feel you’ve occasionally gone over what I view as “the line,” in my opinion you always come across as sane and accessible compared to some of your more fervent allies hereabouts.

CK MacLeod on February 6, 2008 at 2:31 AM

CK MacLeod on February 6, 2008 at 2:31 AM

Well, thanks. It’s clear that the netroots and rightroots aren’t anywhere as influential as either of us might like to be. The netroots is more likely to get what they want in November, though, just because of where the surviving candidates are on several issues.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 2:34 AM

Don’t fool yourself about Hutchison’s position on immigration. She was responsible for sneaking an amendment into a large spending bill last year that gutted the border fence.

Mark1971 on February 6, 2008 at 2:35 AM

Mark1971 on February 6, 2008 at 2:35 AM

Very true. Thanks for the reminder.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 2:35 AM

I believe that McCain will pick Lieberman as his running mate – just like he considered being Kerry’s.

As for Romney’s myriad wins in AK, MT, ND – it’s worth noting that these are GOP states that McCain didn’t carry, just as Obama’s wins there are perceived as meaningless on the Dem side since they don’t plan to win them anyway. But McCain will have to win them, and I doubt he can.

Anybody betting that CA, NY, NJ, et al will swing to McCain this November? Under what scenario does McCain write off these states and still have enough support in other electoral vote rich states to pull things off?

infidelpride on February 6, 2008 at 2:36 AM

Jodi Rell? Never heard of her. Will look her up.

Moderate Connecticut governor who took office after the previous governor was run out in a corruption scandal, then reelected with 65% of the vote. Her approval rating is in the 80’s in CT. She’s a grandmotherly type, and would probably draw skepticism from many conservatives, but is pretty close to McCain on a lot of issues. They have campaigned for each other in the past, and she endorsed him over Giuliani before Florida.

Big S on February 6, 2008 at 2:36 AM

Bryan, like I mentioned in another thread: Romney’s wins are grouped heavily in the West and mid-north. He won Nevada, Alaska, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, Colorado, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, and Massachuesetts so far.

He did okay in Arizona, too. But that suggests to me his real power is in the west. It’s not all the Mormon vote, either–even though I bet Idaho will go for him too. But the LDS vote really could only swing Utah. I’m not sure why Mitt has more of the Western conservatives sewn up, but he did.

Maybe there’s a difference between Western Conservatism and Southern?

Vanceone on February 6, 2008 at 2:37 AM

Just looked up M Jodi Rell on Wikipedia. Having never seen her in action or heard her speak, I can’t offer any opinion on her personal dynamism or charisma, of course, she she certainly seems to have had a very impressive tenure as governor. Given her health issues and her age (62), and Connecticut’s small state status, I’m not sure how much she’d add to a McCain ticket. The ideal would still be either a youngish movement conservative/national level heir apparent, or, if none exists, a “sexy” choice like Huck, I think. I don’t think McCain can get away with an identity candidate (i.e., an ethnic or gender token) unless his or her credentials are overwhelming.

CK MacLeod on February 6, 2008 at 2:40 AM

Vanceone on February 6, 2008 at 2:37 AM

I noticed that when I was making the maps. Huck is Southern, Romney is sort of Western, McCain is mostly urban big media and Eastern. What that means as far as Romney goes, I’m too tired to figure out.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 2:40 AM

What I would like to see is McCain choose a VP who has credibility on the immigration issue and say that the VP will be given a large amount of responsibility over immigration policy in his administration. But I know that is not going to happen.

Mark1971 on February 6, 2008 at 2:43 AM

McCain to finish 3rd in GA?

Nope McCain got 2nd he’s got over 13,000 votes with 98% reporting.

Chakra Hammer on February 6, 2008 at 2:50 AM

WTF… McCain as the nominee and Lindsey Graham, Chuck Hagel, and Mike Huckabee in the running for VP?

Just shoot me.

Just f’in shoot me.

Purple Fury on February 6, 2008 at 3:00 AM

A McCain presidency might just get Libermann to switch parties.

William Amos on February 6, 2008 at 1:30 AM

A McLairPantsOnFire nomination will probably get a lot of people to switch parties.

MB4 on February 6, 2008 at 3:02 AM

If your on the short list for Veep, do you really want to hitch yourself to McCain if this race turns out the way it’s going?
I would think that an ‘12 candidate would want to be as far away from this election as possible.

billy on February 6, 2008 at 3:22 AM

I would think that an ‘12 candidate would want to be as far away from this election as possible.

billy on February 6, 2008 at 3:22 AM

I know I want to be as far away from Juan McShamnasty as possible and I am not even planning on running in ‘12.

MB4 on February 6, 2008 at 3:28 AM

Where is Gramm on immigration? About where McCain is, making Huckabee arguably the more conservative choice on that issue.

“Arguably,” meaning it’s possible to argue that Huckabee (owned by Tyson’s chicken) is slightly less open-borders than McCain.

It’s possible to argue that, but given the general awfulness of Huckabee, why bother?

If this is the choice we’ve got, we’re screwed.

Ali-Bubba on February 6, 2008 at 3:32 AM

And I don’t trust those delegate counts. Yet.

Ali-Bubba on February 6, 2008 at 3:33 AM

I know I want to be as far away from Juan McShamnasty as possible and I am not even planning on running in ‘12.

MB4 on February 6, 2008 at 3:28 AM

Stick around for the change that’s comin’

“Hope softly and carry a lot of change”
Teddy Roosevelt

billy on February 6, 2008 at 3:35 AM

* TOTAL DELEGATES

John McCain 566
mitt Romney 212
mike Huckabee 160
Ron Paul 16

Chakra Hammer on February 6, 2008 at 3:52 AM

I’ve reconciled myself with a McCain presidency, but a Huckabee vice presidency?

That ticket might be too much for me to handle.

amkun on February 6, 2008 at 3:56 AM

* TOTAL DELEGATES

John McCain 572
Mitt Romney 250
Mike Huckabee 160
Ron Paul 16

Chakra Hammer on February 6, 2008 at 3:57 AM

McCain 575

Chakra Hammer on February 6, 2008 at 3:58 AM

*Jodi Rell (Same logic as Giuliani with a lot of his strengths and weaknesses, but with the fact that she’s a woman helping to counteract the “historic ticket” factor the Dems are likely to have. She endorsed Mac before Florida, IIRC)

Uh, speaking as someone who actually lives in Connecticut, under the squishy, lackluster stewardship of Triple R (Rubberstamp RINO Rell):

NO! NO! NO! NO!

Hells bells, Rell’s not just a nobody on the national scene, she’s a freakin’ non-entity in her own STATE!

Our Sec. of State wields more power than her.

Sessions or DeMint would be dandy in my mind. Balances out the ticket and would be seen, I believe, as a BIG onlive branch to the conservative wing of the party, a wing that, despite what some of the folks around here may think, he cannot have even a chance of winning without.

Think he can just tack a little further to the left for more Dems and Indies? If he does that, it’s a game of deminishing returns as all that will accomplish is to:

1. Weaken his support amongst the moderate Dems and Indies who support him as a moderate alternative to Obama and Hillary.

2. Lose him the support of moderate and even liberal ‘Pubs.

3. COMPLETELY alienate conservatives of every stripe.

And for what? Absolutely nothing, as the votes he’d be trying to attract at THAT point are already committed to the Dem candidate.

Sorry if it bursts the bubble of the liberal and moderate Pubs around here, but the fact of the matter is, even WITH us conservatives on board, your boy’s facing an uphill battle no matter WHO the Dem candidate is.

Or was I the only one who noticed that Hillary and Obama’s combined vote totals absolutely DWARFED the combined vote totals of McCain and Romney in the big states?

SuperCool on February 6, 2008 at 5:13 AM

* TOTAL DELEGATES

John McCain 612

Mitt Romney 265

Mike Huckabee 169

Ron Paul 16

Chakra Hammer on February 6, 2008 at 5:33 AM

McCain is over 1/2 way to 1,191 Delegates! he has 612!

Chakra Hammer on February 6, 2008 at 5:34 AM

Uh, speaking as someone who actually lives in Connecticut, under the squishy, lackluster stewardship of Triple R (Rubberstamp RINO Rell)

Dude, I lived in CT for most of my life, and keep in close contact with a lot of people there. You may not like her, but the vast majority of CT residents approve of her, and she has ties to Virginia, a purple state that Republicans can’t afford to lose in November. She’s a moderate, and low-key, but that’s the type McCain might look for in a VP. They’ve shown an affinity for each other in the past, as well. I don’t think you’re going to see McCain pick a true right-winger as a running mate, no matter what the current electoral calculus might say. McCain can make enough credible promises on abortion and other social issues to get the old Rove turnout machine fired up all on his own. He sees himself as a conservative and is probably going to go for a running mate that can help him campaign in blue states.

Big S on February 6, 2008 at 6:14 AM

God help America.

peacenprosperity on February 6, 2008 at 6:34 AM

I hope McCain does not take Huck as his VP. I want Huck to know the cost of back-room deals.

AbaddonsReign on February 6, 2008 at 6:35 AM

I’ll be changing my party to independent tomorrow. The GOP has proven itself to be merely a subset of the Democrats.

Buzzy on February 6, 2008 at 7:21 AM

Whatr about Fred! or Haley Barbour for Veep?

-Aslan’s Girl

Aslans Girl on February 6, 2008 at 7:34 AM

God help America.

peacenprosperity on February 6, 2008 at 6:34 AM

Why should He??

TOPV on February 6, 2008 at 7:34 AM

With the delegate count, where *does* Huckabee come off with this idea of a two man race and he’s in it? Arrogance, imo, and and ungracious winner.

-Aslan’s Girl

Aslans Girl on February 6, 2008 at 7:35 AM

Buzzy on February 6, 2008 at 7:21 AM

Come on in the water’s fine.

ronsfi on February 6, 2008 at 7:39 AM

I’ll be changing my party to independent tomorrow. The GOP has proven itself to be merely a subset of the Democrats.

Buzzy on February 6, 2008 at 7:21 AM

In Texas, we don’t register with parties. But I can tell ya this, I am writing in Fred.

Screw it! I will not reward a liberal democrat that has infiltrated our party.

TheSitRep on February 6, 2008 at 7:46 AM

Of course, the only reason Huck won WV (by 40 votes I might add) is because all, and I mean ALL (except 12 McCainiacs) the other voters colluded with him.

If either McCain or Huck was out, Romney would have won WV effortlessly.

BKennedy on February 6, 2008 at 1:07 AM

You mean that if Mitt wasn’t a prick with a Richie Rich attitude that pissed off Big Mack by slandering him as a liberal, Mack would have helped Mitt win WV even though the rules gave him the power to swing it to Huck…

No, even if Mitt wasn’t a rich prick, McCain as an intelligent candidate would have done what he did. Mitt lost WV because he is a looser.

tommylotto on February 6, 2008 at 7:48 AM

God help America.

peacenprosperity on February 6, 2008 at 6:34 AM

This is soon to become the United States of Mexico, bud.

Aprenda a hablar español.

English as the primary language will soon be dead. What’s your SS number? We have 20m new citizens who will need a new one.

TwinkietheKid on February 6, 2008 at 7:48 AM

Kay Bailey Hutchinson has all but declared her candidacy for the governer’s race here in Texas. Would she take the VP slot over that if McCain offered?

TexasDan on February 6, 2008 at 7:50 AM

McCain knows he’s alienated many conservatives, so he’ll have to pick a conservative VP. As I’ve been saying since S.C., I think it will be Fred. That will help him in the South, too.

jgapinoy on February 6, 2008 at 8:15 AM

Unless he can find a fairly prominent conservative Black, Hispanic, or woman.

jgapinoy on February 6, 2008 at 8:16 AM

He would be great except for his last name. Also, weak on amnesty iirc. But Charlie Crist (also weak on amnesty) doesn’t have Jeb’s baggage.

Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 1:46 AM

Florida ain’t in the South. Yeah, I can read a map, but ask any Southerner and they will tell you the same thing.

Crist is a RINO, but generally a good governor so far. Gramm is a TERRIBLE campaigner, and that isn’t exactly McCain’s strong suit, either. Gramm isn’t very likeable in my opinion, though I love his economic thinking. He also had some ethical issue(s) iirc, though I could be wrong about that. I think Huck would scare off some of McCain’s “moderate” support, negating some of his gains in the South. But if Huck keeps grabbing delegates like this, I could envision him being the choice.

RW Wacko on February 6, 2008 at 8:34 AM

woops, sorry

RW Wacko on February 6, 2008 at 8:34 AM

It pains me to say this, but it appears that now I’m going to have to hope Romney gives all his delegates to Huckabee to beat McCain.

Huck/McCain is still as loathsome a duo as we could possibly nominate, but at least with the Huckster I KNOW we’ll get pro-life judges. For all his other flaws, Huckabee at least will fight for life issues.

McCain/Huck is just… awful. The VP is an inexperienced douche and the Prez is a Democrat.

If Romney gives his delegates to give Huck the win (since Huck will otherwise throw his to McCain, and the greedy minister will always bargain for the top slot), a Huck/Romney ticket is a plausible vote for me. Romney will make sure Huck gets, you know, eductated on matters outside of pro-life and it paves the way for Romney 2012.

BKennedy on February 6, 2008 at 8:36 AM

Well, Bryan would have to explain more fully what it means to use the mega and medium church network then to address your point.

TX Mom on February 6, 2008 at 1:02 AM

I can relate. The ‘network’ such as it is isn’t reflective of the full measure of all ‘church people’ across the nation.

What Bryan’s comments mean to me is reflected in one overriding issue in context of the religion of the candidates as noted here:

- Huckabee is an unabashed Christian in the mold of the majority of blue-collar American Protestants.

- Romney is an unabashed Christian in the mold of the LDS (Mormon) church, which the majority of American Protestants consider a cult.

- McCain is, well, what is he? He has made a point of not aligning himself with any particular religious position.

So you folks tell me, who is the person that the majority of American Protestants are going to identify with the most on a purely philosophical basis?

In the race between these three candidates the answer should be obvious. And there should be no surprise why Huckabee is attracting such a huge voting block regardless of the money the other candidates are spending.

Lawrence on February 6, 2008 at 8:44 AM

Lawrence

The “average blue-collar Christian” you cite is like the average American–fairly uninformed about politics (I say this as a devout evangelical). They hear Huck quote the Bible, saying the right things, but they are unaware of the liberal stances he has taken & the foreign-policy goofs he has uttered.

jgapinoy on February 6, 2008 at 8:52 AM

Want to see some fireworks without having to wait another 5 months. Plant the rumor that Romney has asked Hitlery to be his running mate

MSGTAS on February 6, 2008 at 8:59 AM

Obama won most “Republican” states. McCain won most “Democrat” states.

Just Dammmmmmm. This is a freaky nightmere

stenwin77 on February 6, 2008 at 8:59 AM

TexasDan on February 6, 2008 at 7:50 AM

If her goal is the White House, and I think it is, then she would be better served by a VP slot than by the Texas Gov. mansion. I suspect that after GWB, the nation is a little tired of Texas Governors.

I’m still surprised that it looks like we are going to have the all Senators’ race.

TX Mom on February 6, 2008 at 9:06 AM

Isn’t it pretty rare for the nominee to pick someone he ran against in the primaries? Anyone know?

I think McCain will pick Fred. I think that deal was made right after SC. (and possibly before, if you catch my drift). Wow, won’t Huck be surprised? Wow, won’t Lidsey be surprised? Wow, won’t Charlie Crist be surprised? …(and the list goes on…)

Fred doesn’t have all the baggage, the religious bigots can live with him, and he didn’t piisss off the conservatives by endorsing McDole in the primaries.

Neither one is very articulate vs. Hillary and/or Obama. We’re in deep doo-doo.

The up-side is that McDole is very old. Might kick off or stroke in office (not that I’m wishing that on him, but it’s a fact) so he’ll probably be a one-termer. Like he even has a chance to win the election in Nov.

stenwin77 on February 6, 2008 at 9:07 AM

jgapinoy on February 6, 2008 at 8:52 AM

Agreed. I think they often don’t know where he stands on issues, but they love is “Bible talk”. They are delighted to hear him give credit to God for his success, speak of the importance of prayer and Bible study, and admit that he is a young earth Creationist in public. They aren’t political junkies like us, so this is all they know. And this is what they discuss over potluck lunch.

On the flip side, Romney is a member of a weird cult (in their eyes), talks like a funny Yankee, and moves in circles that they don’t know anything about. I think with the Blue Collar Christians, Huck’s jibes at Mitt for being the guy who lays you off hit home. Populism has been alive and well in Southern politics for a long time.

TX Mom on February 6, 2008 at 9:10 AM

I’m concerned that McCain’s support is almost all in “blue” states. He’s not going to win these places in the general. Can he win the red states when Huckabee and Romney aren’t pulling away votes?

TX Mom on February 6, 2008 at 9:11 AM

stenwin77 on February 6, 2008 at 9:07 AM

Actually, I think it is common. Bush Sr. ran against Reagan. Didn’t Kemp run against Dole? Gore ran against Clinton. Cheney was an anolmaly, and was quite a surprise when GWB picked him.

TX Mom on February 6, 2008 at 9:13 AM

Fred Thompson might be a possibility too.
Bryan on February 6, 2008 at 1:52 AM

I am torn on that possibility. On the one hand I really like Fred and would love to see him in the whitehouse. On the other hand, what does it say about Fred if he takes McCain up on the VP offer? Aside from their “friendship” they have virtually nothing in common. I would be disappointed in Fred if he did accept McCains offer since they are at different ends of the spectrum on the issues. Anybody care to enlighten me on this issue?

kcd on February 6, 2008 at 9:19 AM

If Romney gives his delegates to give Huck the win (since Huck will otherwise throw his to McCain, and the greedy minister will always bargain for the top slot), a Huck/Romney ticket is a plausible vote for me. Romney will make sure Huck gets, you know, eductated on matters outside of pro-life and it paves the way for Romney 2012.

BKennedy on February 6, 2008 at 8:36 AM

At this point, I’d go for that.

kcd on February 6, 2008 at 9:28 AM

I am suprised at Huckabee’s taking of the South. I’ve lived my whole life there and shouldn’t be but still am. So many of my christian conservative associates (who I figured were too smart to be wooed by the huckster) totally fell for his preacher routine. Somehow the fact that he allegedly opposes abortion because “God says it is wrong” makes him better than the other candidates. As a christian conservative its tough for me to say, but it seems like my peers just get whipped into a frenzy and are led like sheep by a wolf in sheeps clothing. Franksly I’m disgusted. I figured with Dobson saying he wouldn’t vote for McCain and the common knowledge that a vote for Huck is a vote for McCain would be simple enough logic for them to follow an vote mitt. Alas, I digress.

infidel2 on February 6, 2008 at 9:36 AM

Of course my state went for McCain and I voted Romney. I’ve earned my license to gripe, so here goes. Moan, groan, whine, complain, etc.

I’d like to see Haley Barbour as a veep. I see several other commenters have made the same suggestion. He has done a great job under rather difficult circumstances in Mississippi. There’s a reason why the Mississippi Coast hasn’t gotten much attention in post-Katrina coverage; it’s because stuff has been getting fixed there. Haley Barbour is a great deal of the reason why it’s getting done.

Bring on the brokered convention. At this point, I’d say that’s the only way we could possibly get a decent general election candidate.

flutejpl on February 6, 2008 at 9:42 AM

People McCain is probably considering for VP who would be disastrous for one reason or another:

Lindsey Graham (too much like McCain policy-wise)
Joe Lieberman (very liberal on everything but the war)
Chuck Hagel (do I really need to clarify?)
Mike Huckabee (ugh)
Fred Thompson (perceived to be too old, a bad combo with McCain)
Rudy Giuliani (doesn’t bring in any more of the conservative base or the south)

People I wouldn’t mind seeing on the ticket:

Kay Bailey Hutchison (but she’s a senator, and I’m not sure about a senator-senator ticket)
Phil Gramm (but he was a senator, too)
Rick Santorum (ditto)
Bobby Jindal (but he’s a brand-new governor and hasn’t proven himself yet; besides, Louisiana needs him more)
Newt Gingrich (not at all sure about this one, but he lends conservative cred to the ticket and brings lots of name-recognition, for better or for worse)

Other possibilities: Steele, Pawlenty, Sanford, Watts, Hensarling, Cornyn, Palin

As I’ve said before, I really think McCain needs to choose a younger, dynamic woman or minority, preferably someone from the south with at least a little name recognition. That’s a short list.

aero on February 6, 2008 at 9:43 AM

I’d much rather have McCain in office than Huckabee, even with Romney. I am developing a serious dislike of the Reverend Huckster.

That said, the most amusing result of this campaign has been the dawning realization in the press that the GOP is divided by ideological differences and policy positions among equals, but the Dems are divided by race and gender in their identity politics among non-equals.

We’ve been saying this forever.

Jaibones on February 6, 2008 at 9:46 AM

I left Haley Barbour off my VP list, but he’s a good one. He really impressed me in the Katrina aftermath. A successful southern Republican governor.

aero on February 6, 2008 at 9:47 AM

For 20 years I have voted for moderates for President. I am so tired of it. I want to vote for someone in a Presidential election that I can enthusiastically support, and know that for the most part, he will not stab conservatives in the back once in office.

Yes, for the sake of the troops, I will vote for McCain, but out of loyalty to them, and not of loyalty to the Republican party.

After last night, I realized that the majority of the Republican party no longer shares my views on what is right for our country. I decided that if Mitt Romney pulls out the race before March 4th, I will not be voting in the primary, because they stamp “Republican” on your voter id card and I no longer want to be identified as a Conservative Republican, but only as a Conservative.

I am very sad today. I am leaving a party that I have supported with my votes for 20 years, and feel disillusioned and disenfranchised. Also, my beloved America (IMO) is declining and will continue to decline under the leadership of whomever becomes President, whether it’s McCain, Obama, or Clinton. Yes, this is a very sad day indeed.

Jodella on February 6, 2008 at 9:50 AM

I think Hucakabee’s WV win, which was announce around 2:00p.m may have given the voters in the south a false hope that he could rally back. Well, he did pretty well, but is not really in a position to win.

infidel2 on February 6, 2008 at 9:51 AM

left Haley Barbour off my VP list, but he’s a good one. He really impressed me in the Katrina aftermath. A successful southern Republican governor.

aero on February 6, 2008 at 9:47 AM

He was on Fox last night. He said none of them were near as conservative as he is.

kcd on February 6, 2008 at 9:52 AM

Whatr about Fred! or Haley Barbour for Veep?

-Aslan’s Girl

Aslans Girl on February 6, 2008 at 7:34 AM

Both of them were big time lobbyists and Washington insiders, which makes them a little suspect in the general election. Fred might get the nod, but Barbour’s probably a no-go.

Big S on February 6, 2008 at 10:00 AM

Who does McCain need on his ticket? How about J.C. Watts? I can’t think of anyone better to draw conservatives AND blunt the advantages of the potential democratic ticket.

Beo on February 6, 2008 at 10:01 AM

Anyone else with a hangover this morning? Ugh.

If it is going to be McCain, the only way–THE ONLY WAY–I will pull the lever for him is if his VP is slightly right of Moses. A real Reagan conservative. I’d like Fred, but he’s too old, sad to say. Time to focus of congressional races everyone!

P.S. what about Steele?

dish on February 6, 2008 at 10:02 AM

McCain needs Lieberman in the Senate more than as a VP. I think he needs a Southern gov. Sanford and Barbour seem the most obvious. Here’s a name I haven’t seen yet, Rick Perry.

murty on February 6, 2008 at 10:05 AM

Who does McCain need on his ticket? How about J.C. Watts? I can’t think of anyone better to draw conservatives AND blunt the advantages of the potential democratic ticket.

Beo on February 6, 2008 at 10:01 AM

J.C. is an angle I think has MAJOR power to draw people around. Problem is, he’s doing well with business (a plus) so much so I don’t think he would want to get back in the mix.

SkinnerVic on February 6, 2008 at 10:08 AM

J.C. is an angle I think has MAJOR power to draw people around. Problem is, he’s doing well with business (a plus) so much so I don’t think he would want to get back in the mix.

SkinnerVic on February 6, 2008 at 10:08 AM

I agree, but I sure wish somebody would appeal to his patriotism. :-)

Beo on February 6, 2008 at 10:12 AM

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