October 18, 2007
Posted: October 18th, 2007 07:00 PM ET

ABOARD THE ELECTION EXPRESS (CNN) – Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is often mentioned in the same sentence as Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback, but Huckabee made clear Thursday he has no immediate plans to join his rival in abandoning a bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

Huckabee, who competed fiercely with Brownback for support from social conservatives, has had a difficult time competing with the frontrunners in both raising money and registering in the polls.

"It's not about the money, it's about the message," Huckabee said in an interview with CNN Chief National Correspondent John King in New Hampshire. "Our message is resonating and the more the message resonates, the more the money comes in. We are in a position where we have only seen one direction, we've gone up. And I am confident that will continue to happen as we approach the Iowa caucuses."

Brownback will officially drop out of the race on Friday, because his campaign never caught fire.
The former Arkansas governor received what was thought to be a big boost to his campaign in August when he came in a surprise second place in the Iowa Republican straw poll. It still remains to be seen if the victory will help Huckabee in the Iowa caucuses. Huckabee acknowledges he needs to win, place or show on Jan. 3.

"There are three tickets out of Iowa - first class, business, and coach," Huckabee said. "We've got to be on that plane."

If Huckabee fails to win his party’s presidential nomination, don’t expect him to support a third party candidate even if the eventual nominee is former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. The former mayor, who right now is leading in the national polls, has taken positions on some issues that are opposed by social conservatives.

"I think what that does is similar to what happened in 1992 when Ross Perot came in,” Huckabee said. “It would insure the election of yet another Clinton. We'd potentially have 28 years with only two families in the White House - I don't think that's a good idea either."

Huckabee added, "I think a third party candidate is not going to win, and I'm not sure why we would put the effort when the effort ultimately results in somebody that we want even less than we may want Rudy Giuliani," he added.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Filed under: Mike Huckabee • Sam Brownback


Audry Salvador Midland Michigan   October 25th, 2007 2:34 pm ET

Huckabee supporters have raised over $700,000 just in October. When you believe in someone enough, you put your money where your mouth is and you don't need to be degrading with your word ( just because you wish they were supporting your candidate).

God bless Huckabee and all those who support him.

We all got t-shirts and hats from the huckabee store.

Rodney, Cumming GA   October 24th, 2007 12:24 am ET

Polls mean nothing, votes do, all you have to do is look to the 2002 Georgia Governors race when a no name Republican challenged the well finaced democratic governor and beat him in a landslide.

Go Huckabee

Chris, Charlotte, NC   October 20th, 2007 5:55 pm ET

In November of 2008, I will support and vote for the Republican nominee. At that time, Republicans and conservatives will need to unite to defeat a larger threat from the left. Until then, each cantidate should be heard and judged on his merits and vision for the future. If we only focus on polls and decide to become the 'anybody but Hillary" party, then we'll go down in flames in November 2008. The Republican Party MUST choose a nominee who has integrity and vision.

Until yesterday, I supported Fred Thompson. That changed when I saw Mike Huckabee on the Glen Beck program. He impressed me with a depth of knowledge and the ability to present his vision in a straightforward, unscripted manner.

After the program I investigated his background further. His integrity is glaring, especially in light of all the corruption now witnessed within both parties.

Needless to say, I now support Mike Huckabee. Don't take my word for it though, investigate all the cantidates and choose for yourself. We CAN afford to debate within the party now, because we WILL unite after the nominee is chosen.

Rick, KC, MO   October 20th, 2007 1:34 am ET

Wow. Wierd and ugly names dictating people's choice for who to vote for instead of their stance on various subjects that should be important to you, as a voter....

No wonder people vote for "normal" names like 'BUSH' or 'CLINTON' for the last 25 years.

I wonder what would have happened if we made our choices based upon the issues instead of their 'wierd, ugly names'

Bradley Schaubs, Greeley, CO   October 19th, 2007 5:54 pm ET

Several rats have already jumped ship. Huckabee would be wise to do the same.

Paul   October 19th, 2007 12:56 pm ET

To those people who are saying that Huckabee is a funny name....what's not funny about 'Rudy' or 'Mitt'? Also, the Value Voter vote and the moral people that are left in this country, believe that he has the character and Vision to bring us through these trying times. Go Huck!!!!!!!

Charles, Atlanta, Georgia   October 19th, 2007 12:15 pm ET

Huckabee has every chance of winning! He is tied second in Iowa for the nomination, and only trails Romney by six points. How much money a person raises does not mean anything.

laurinda,ny   October 19th, 2007 10:04 am ET

I think that Hucklebee should seriously think about joining Brownback because he is just wasting his doners money, he has no chance of winning.

AJ; Montpelier, VT   October 19th, 2007 8:05 am ET

Message? I never thought of the hate that the "social conservatives" spout as being a message. You can pretty up the name as much as you want but the real term for these people is BIGOT, not "social conservatives."

John, Atlanta, Ga   October 19th, 2007 4:10 am ET

Drop out Huckabee. Everyone knows that the true conservative and Christian is Ron Paul.

Andrew, NJ   October 19th, 2007 2:58 am ET

Ofcourse he'll say he has no plans to drop out. But if you remember...just a few days ago Brownback was saying the same thing....that he will not drop out until Iowa.

So just wait until Huckabee's cash dries up and we'll see him drop out just as fast.

And the cash WILL dry up...he set a low goal of $200K for October, and was only able to raise 75K so far. If he does meet his objective, that will still net him less $$$ for Q4 than he raised in Q3.

Ron Paul on the other hand raised more cash in one day, than Huckabee raised this whole month

Jason, Cedar Rapids, IA   October 19th, 2007 1:30 am ET

What do you mean "Huckabee . . . has had a difficult time competing with the frontrunners in . . . registering in the polls"? The new Rasmussen poll has him at 18% in Iowa, just 7 points behind Romney, and ahead of Giuliani and McCain:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/republican_iowa_caucus

John Thomas, Edina, MN   October 19th, 2007 1:08 am ET

Sorry Huckleberry. It's time for you to join Brownbag and drop out. Money = support, and you have neither. Toodles!

Rob, Los Angeles, CA   October 18th, 2007 11:53 pm ET

Only fitting that no one has left a comment here..

Daniel   October 18th, 2007 10:22 pm ET

Why would Huckabee join Brownback given how great he is doing in Iowa? The last two polls have him tied for second in the caucuses!

Kendra, Detroit MI   October 18th, 2007 9:21 pm ET

Huckabee, Brownback: the hick-candidates with weird, ugly names who have no vision and no chance at winning something that matters.

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