January 8, 2008
Posted: 09:12 PM ET
Huckabee reportedly phoned McCain this evening to congratulate him.

Huckabee reportedly phoned McCain this evening to congratulate him.

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (CNN) – Mike Huckabee’s campaign tells CNN the former Arkansas governor told John McCain that "he thinks the world of him, he's looking forward to the campaign in South Carolina," and that he was "proud of the positive campaign that the two of them waged together for New Hampshire" in his congratulatory call this evening. Huckabee’s praise contained a veiled reference to rival Mitt Romney’s television ads he ran against both men.

CNN projects that McCain has won the New Hampshire Republican primary.

– CNN’s Joe Johns and Steve Turnham

Filed under: John McCain • Mike Huckabee • New Hampshire


Steve   January 9th, 2008 11:35 am ET

MIKE HUCKABEE INTOLERANCE PROBLEM….

Let us assume for a moment that Mike Huckabee gets nominated by the Republican Party for the presidency. I know it is a bold assumption.. Let us examine his chances of his winning the general election without Mormon votes. Given current American voting trends and demographics, he would have no chance. If the Huckster is nominated, the swing states of Nevada (about 10% Mormon), Oregon (4%) and New Mexico (4%) will swing to the Democrats. Remember that President Bush lost Oregon by a couple thousand votes in 2000; New Mexico by a few hundred and picked it up in 2004 by an equally slim margin. Besides losing swing states in 2008, Republicans could also lose solidly red states if they embrace the bigot for president. What would losing a large voting block in, if not the states of, Utah (1.8 million Mormons), Idaho (15%), Wyoming (14%), and Arizona (6%) (you don’t hear McCain bashing Mormons, do you? in fact he’s done just the opposite) do for Republican hopes in 2008? Defections of Mormons in Colorado (131,000) and California (750,000) might cost a few Republican congressional seats. Losing the most-solidly Republican block in the country, the Mormons, or even putting it in play, would turn red states blue and eliminate any hopes of Republicans holding Colorado in the Senate or retaining the White House.

Mormons are tolerant folks, but they don’t tolerate anti-Mormon hostility, especially the bigotry that has been demonstrated by Huckabee’s supporters and, by extension Huckabee, for Huckabee’s failure to call them on it. So, when all of these Mormons decide that they are not going to tolerate an anti-Mormon bigot in the White House, will Mormons in those states vote for a third party or just stay home? Both options are being openly discussed in Mormon circles. If it is a third party, Mormons trend Libertarian; but that is beside the point. How could you vote for someone who is completely intolerant of your faith? Mormons have marched along supporting the candidates of the evangelical right for decades (who voted more reliably for Bush than Mormons? Not evangelicals.) and this Mormon and many others he happens to be talking to are ready to leave the party if Huckabee is nominated or his anti-Mormon campaign continues to be tolerated by the party.

Think of Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Arizona turning blue? Impossible? Not if an anti-Mormon is on the Republican ticket. People say Romney can’t win without evangelicals, well, Huckabee or any other Republican can’t win without Mormons in 2008. It’s a two-way street. No Republican will win the presidency in 2008 without us.

Before anyone discounts the idea of blue Mormons, consider that Harry Reid, the Democratic leader in the Senate is, a Mormon, who, despite being a Democrat, has enjoyed splitting the typically Republican Mormon vote in Nevada. More telling is that Utah County, the home of BYU and the most densely Mormon and Republican area in Utah had a Democrat representing it in Congress for most of the 1990s.

If anyone has any questions about how strongly many of us feel about this, let me say that I am as likely to support Mike Huckabee as Jesse Jackson would support David Duke. Is that clear enough?

Gundy   January 9th, 2008 2:55 am ET

Ummm…. McCain released an "attack" ad as well…. So did Huckabee, essentially.

steve michael   January 8th, 2008 10:48 pm ET

All of you Obama supporters, learn your lesson. Don't mess with Hillary.

G   January 8th, 2008 10:28 pm ET

LOU…. FUN TO HAVE LUNCH WITH…
LIKE BUSH WAS FUN TO HAVE A BEER WITH.
MORE OF THE SAME. DON'T PEOPLE EVER
LEARN?? GIVE THE COUNTRY TO JESUS,
OVER LUNCH.

Jeff   January 8th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

McCain's authenticity is endearing. Mitt Romney's surface gloss now looks oily. As an army of pundits have noted in recent days, the more people see Mitt Romney, the less they seem to like him. The Boston Herald Jan 8, 2008

kevin   January 8th, 2008 10:11 pm ET

This hatred (in the comments posted to this story) of Huckabee surprises me. I believe that he and McCain are the two most authentic candidates in the race, regardless of the party. Mitt and Hillary are polished and rehearsed - both seem to be led by polling results. Rudy and Edwards are opportunists - trying to take advantage of popularity or charm to propel them to the front. Richardson and Thompson are both decent men, but don't have much to offer (in this cycle anyway). Kucinich and Paul just don't belong in the parties they're claiming. McCain and Huckabee are the only two candidates that I actually believe when they speak, even if I don't like everything they have to say. They certainly aren't perfect, but let's at least respect the sincerity.

Cory   January 8th, 2008 10:08 pm ET

If McCain wins the presidency, the last thing he will do is pick Mitt Romney for his Vice Presidential Running Mate. Get Real.

Lee   January 8th, 2008 9:46 pm ET

Huckster's thanks to his supporters who did things he "doesn't want to know about" is clear he has no scrupples about playing dirty against Mitt. All the religous bigotry and anti Mormon propaganda are clearly from his camp and he is happy about it. I'd like to see Mitt win it all, but I think Mitt will be VP, along with McCain as the next President. Good night and Good Bye Huck.

G   January 8th, 2008 9:41 pm ET

LOOKS LIKE CNNs CHOSEN TICKET.

lou   January 8th, 2008 9:41 pm ET

Although I most likely wouldn't vote for Huckabee should he be on the ticket in November, I must say he seems to be a real gentleman and I like his communication skills and sense of humor. Politics aside, I bet he'd be fun to have lunch with.

Troy   January 8th, 2008 9:37 pm ET

Huckabee is trying to kiss Mccain's butt now, for a Vice Presidential nod. What a joke, how are Romney's adds "negative"? They tell the truth about both men, and site the reference. Sorry if the truth hurt Huck-a-cry-baby. The only other state Huckabee will win is South Carolina. Mitt is the man for the job.

robin tennant   January 8th, 2008 9:36 pm ET

I for one am delighted that Hillary is not finished. She is a strong, intelligent ,capable woman who would be very good for the country as it's next President, The media appears to despise her. That fact she stayed with Bill makes many people suspious of her motives. I rather not judge her personal life. I hope we get to see what she is really made of.

BobbyM   January 8th, 2008 9:28 pm ET

I was not a big Hillary fan - till now. It is ridiculous that the media and other candidates are breathing down her neck commenting (read:criticizing) on her every move and giving the other democratic candidates a look-over. Obama and Edwards have had a free ride at Hillary's expense. You know what - I want a President who can fight off leeches like Obama and Edwards rather than have them leading me.

a voter, Washington, DC   January 8th, 2008 9:27 pm ET

Huckabee is running for VP, that's clear.

G   January 8th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

WHAT A WHEELER DEALER. KISS-UP AND MAYBE
YOU'LL GET TO BE V.P.

G   January 8th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

Why is is difficult find anyone reporting on Hillary Clinton on CNN live? I have a feeling that there is a conspiracy to keep her victory over Obama downplayed. You should have already declared her victor.

G   January 8th, 2008 9:14 pm ET

A WARHAWK AND A RELIGIOUS EXTREMIST.
THANX NEW HAMPSHIRE.

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