HUNTSVILLE, Alabama (CNN) - White House hopeful Mike Huckabee denied the Republican presidential race had narrowed to two candidates, Mitt Romney and John McCain, telling journalists at an Alabama campaign stop Saturday that “if anybody ought to be quitting, it's Mitt Romney.”
“John McCain hasn't suggested I step aside. So if Mitt Romney's going to engage me, which he has, then I feel like the engagement is on,” said the former Arkansas governor.
“…If I'm ahead of him in places like Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, then he needs to step aside and let me in fact be that conservative alternative than he says we need.”
Romney’s campaign spent much of the early voting season attacking many of his opponents, including Huckabee. And Huckabee has been a fierce critic of the former Massachusetts governor, regularly criticizing him in presidential primary debates and on the campaign trail.
In Huntsville Saturday, Huckabee dismissed the idea that John McCain was an “inevitable” Republican nominee, pointing to the fact that more than 90 percent of the GOP’s delegates were still unspoken for.
Huckabee, who began to focus on Bible Belt states like Alabama while his GOP rivals were still battling for Florida, repeated recent comments that his campaign was setting its sights on a win there. “And frankly, I don't know of anyone that should win it more than me,” he said.
Most recent Alabama polls show Huckabee in second place there, behind John McCain and ahead of Mitt Romney, with just days to go until the state’s February 5 primary vote. The former Baptist minister is continuing his primary season pattern of making many of his campaign stops visits to local churches.
From CNN Politics
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the unspoken GOP's should vote for Hillary Clinton.
I saw him speak this morning right off the University of Alabama campus. He's got a powerful message and I think is really going to surprise some folks on Tuesday.
i hope you are right Greg. McCain scares me with too much guns, and very little butter. And as a father of a new Marine Corps Recruit, I can see McCain sending him to all kinds of places we shouldnt be sticking our noses. Romney is just a stuffed shirt. I ration campain dollars very carefully: Huckabee got mine this year.
Let the voter's speak. Neither Romney nor Huckabee need to step aside. Super Tuesday will tell the story.
I may be heavily against the Republican Party, but in a race like this the Republicans REALLY need to stop fighting amongst eachothers if they want to have a chance....no one wants to hear a bunch of bickering....
I'm a pretty liberal guy (at least I think I am) and am attracted to Obama's message of hope....but i have to say, that I really like the striaght talk I hear from Huckabee. So much so that I went to his web site and mmade a donation.... the contry needs people like Mike in the race!
Huckabee makes me sick!!!
He will overtake Romney on Super Tuesday in southern states.
Well of course Huckabee is ahead of Romney in Alabama. One does not need to be a strategist to figure out why Huckabee would do well in Alabama.
Huckabee is the spoiler.
i did have respect for him, now i've lost all. he's putting his pettiness and ego ahead of what is best for the country.
GOD HELP YOU ALL IF YOU ELECT ANOTHER REPUBLICAN.
They remind of some new cereal, different flakes with some extra nuts.
I am loving this. I haven't seen Huckabee on the news circuit for quite a while. He had his 15 minutes and now he needs to let the viable candidates play. John Edwards had enough sense to see that he was getting in the way, I just wish Huckabee would realize the same thing. A vote for Huckabee is a vote for McCain and if Huckabee were a true conservative he would realize that and step aside.
If I wasn't voting Democrat this time around being that I'm a Republican, I would most likely vote for Mike Huckabee. He's a likeable person. However, at this stage of the game I think it's not going to happen for him.
what do you mean by the expression "stuffed shirt"??
At least with Huckabee, we don't have to vote for the "lesser of two evils". He brings character to the race and would be an outstanding president.
I think democrats would love to go up against John, Mike or Mit. If any one of them gets the nod we will have a first in the white house. It's funny because people don't know that all the while those three are bickering the fourth candidate is picking up delegates they don't want.
I wish all states vote the same date, like in March... no more early states... then all the candidates would have a fair chance before any candidate drop out of the race. This would give a better picture of who is more popular and front runner for November general election.
Huckabee is done and needs to drop out. The only votes he is going to get are from the conservatives who hate mormons. His policies are junk, his record stinks, and his kissing up to John McCain makes me want to throw up.
This is a joke! Huckabee has absolutely no chance. How hard is it to see that he was a "one hit wonder" in Iowa. His performance in the debate was sad, always begging for more time and attention. It is time to step aside and let the real players play.
Ron Paul is the only viable candidate.
A vote for Huckabee is a vote for McCain.
He's helping his buddy out with the hopes of a VP nod.
As a conservative republician, I am having a hard time deciding who to vote for. I wish WE (conservatives) had a candidate like Obama in the race that.offers change and hope and who is inspiring. Obama would be the perfect if he were pro-life. I guess thats my biggest issue with voting democrate. McCain scares me to much to vote for him. I consider myself a die-hard republican, but I'm just stumpt. Who knows I may have to cross the isle this November and vote democrate. Huckabee is the better of the three.
What audacity!!
Ron Paul Is Hope Thanks
Huckabee should look at the delegate count. He is behind McCain and Romney. He was a one hit wonder and the south won't change that on Tuesday. He will get his home state but that is it. McCain and Romney are the only two with a ligitamate platform, and it will be them to the convention. Huckabee is the one who should go home.
ROMNEY is the best candidate. the man is over-qualified for the job- read his bio... and he has wonderful character
Huckabee has little $ to have his voice heard.
Is it just me or does it look like McCain and Huckabee are working over the Republican ticket together? The only logical reason Huckabee is still in the race is to help McCain by taking votes.
Huckabee performed very well in the debates and has come from the bottom once before. I think he will be a suprising contender in Super Tuesday.
Yes, that's exactly what we want. McCain/ Huckabee (or vice versa)... then maybe the people will have a voice in an intelligent government for a change.
To Observer-
If Huckabee had a voice worth hearing, people would pay to hear it. Sure Romney put lots of his own $$ into the campaign, but he came in without the name recognition that Rudy, McCain, Thompson, and the leading Democrats have. As people have heard his message, they too have contributed. But after all the free advertisement that Iowa got Huckabee, and the numerous debates, not to mention the easy access to his website, people are not opening up their wallets to hear more from him. Campaign money does not grow on trees, it comes from voters. As I said before, take a seat Huckabee.
McCain is using the Nixon dirty trick strategy
Hucabee is to peel off religous voters
Huckabee should be above this but he is not, he has a backroom deal with McCain
Backrrom deals are dirty
HUCKABEE IS MCCAIN LITTLE HELPER
HUCK IS JUST THERE TO SLIT THE RELIGOUS VOTE SO IT DOESN'T COUNT
Romney is by far the best candidate. Huckabee has no chance, and a vote for him is a vote Romney could have gotten. We all need Romney to win!
For all you Romneyites who think Huckabee is a spoiler, unlike Romney, Mike Huckabee has just as good of a chance at winning as Mitt, but he hasn't had the money to buy votes like Mitt has. If he had the money, this would be a hands-down race for him. His appeal is very broad-even including former Democrats and atheists. He is a voice of reason and common sense, while everyone else is trying to attack their opponents, he is talking about real issues-as in the last debate. He has no interest in making McCain the nominee, but in working to do what is best for our country. Recent polls have shown that most Huckabee supporter would be more likely to vote McCain than Romney, and that includes myself. I would never vote for a candidate who takes up whichever position seems best suited for the crowd he is trying to appeal to. Try another story.
So the bag of hat air is now a comedian who seems to think that as god's chosen candidate he is a better man for the job. I hate to tell yah but Huckabee has the worst odds of winning the white house because outside the Christian conservatives he doesn't have much support. Also his foreign knowledge is still lacking and we don't need someone learning on the job the recent history of the world and how things stand as well as someone who as just as likely as not to make stupid comments in regards to other countries.
Lori,
If you think it is possible to buy votes then your as big a fool as anyone else. Thanks to the conservative right someone who happens to be Mormon is going to have to spend more money in the hopes of overcoming the vast ignorance of those who believe what their preachers have told them about Mormonism instead of actually learning for themselves. Ignorance is bliss and you obviously have been letting others doing the thinking for you based on your views on Romney.
A delusional comment from a delusional man!! What else could you expect??
THIS MAN IS A SMOOTH TALKER, WHO WOULD TURN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE
INTO A CHURCH. HE WOULD BE A PREACHER IN CHIEF. IT WOULD DIVIDE
THE COUNTRY. WE NEED A MAN WITH GOOD VALUES AND JUDGMENT, WHO
DOESN'T WEAR HIS RELIGION ON HIS SLEEVE... I VOTED FOR RON PAUL.
Go Mike. We need you to stop the democrat socilaist today! that includes McCain too.
Let's wait for the Super Tuesday before judging Mike, I believe in miracles.... also in "lucky punch." Go Mike, forget the odds, reach for your dream!!
It is this hayseed, full of quasi religious anecdotes, who should step aside.
Huckabee is very sneaky and manipulative. Very smooth talker.
Go Mike. We need you to stop the republican wackos today! that includes Romney too.
HUCKABEE YOU NEED TO QUIT GIVING ROMNEY ADVICE. YOUR JEALOUSY IS OBVIOUS. I KNOW YOU ARE HOPING MCCAIN WILL MAKE YOU VP IF ELECTED, BUT THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. I HAVE LOST RESPECT FOR YOU NOW. HUCKABEE STAY OUT OF ROMNEY'S BUSINESS and go back to Arkansas.
GO MIKE GO!!!!
Mitt is a rich elite tool.
Huckabee needs to take a look at his own numbers and step aside himself. It is obvious that he is sucking up to McCain to get the GOP VP slot....it will be the only way he will get in the White House. I think even the conservative Republicans have discovered that evangelicals and running a country just don't mix. What ever happened to freedom of religeon.....what about all of the other non-evangelicals out there???? He and George W. should have their freedom to worship as they please....but they should not have the freedom to run OUR country based on these beliefs alone...
Huck needs to step aside he is a loser Romney 08
Hey Mike!
Fred held open the exit door for Rudy and now Rudy is holding it open for you.
This Wednesday should be just right.
Forget it. After seeing some anti-Huckabee talk I am definitely voting for Mike Huckabee on Super Tuesday. It's always the good guy whe gets shunned in this country. That's why were going to pot.
It is obvious that Huckabee is staying in the race to take conservative votes from Romney, almost ensuring a victory for McCain.
Huckabee is pratically kissing McCain's feet, probably in hopes that McCain will give him a nice job if he becomes President.
at least he made money you poor tool
Attention: Please refer to San Francisco Commonwealth Club Interview with Mike Huckabee on January 31, 2008. You can acees this through C-Span or You Tube.
This was the best opportunity for Mike Huckabee to expalin his tax, economic and health care reforms. By watching this video you will have the grasp that Mike Huckabee is the best candidate for Republicans. He talks with substance.
I support him to continue all the way to the Republican convention as he has a good chance to beat McCain and Romney by staying longer in the course. This is the only way for the people to know him better.
Don't waste your vote on Huckabee. What's a better alternative, McCain or Romney? Conservatives should rally to Romney. Romney is ten times as electable as Huckabee – all Huck is doing is dividing the conservative vote and letting McCain win. Maybe that's his intention. Either way, a vote for Huck is a vote for McCain. Wake up conservatives and vote for the viable candidate – Romney.
HUCHABEE NEEDS TO STEP ASIDE. HE IS A SPOILER, SPECULATING THAT CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE VOTES ARE TO HIS SIDE, THAT MCCAIN WILL PICK HIM AS RUNNING MATE. CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS ARE SMART, HE CANNOT MANIPULATE PEOPLE. WE WILL SEE THE RESULT TUESDAY.
Are we electing a Pastor in chief ? or a President-in-chief? I am from AZ. We do not want McCain. A vote for Huckabee is a vote for McCain. McCain is not the man he pretends to be.
Huckabee seems to be caught in the SEDUCTION of Politics; LUST for Power, Position, Prominence and Prestige. Sad to see a seemingly good man succumb so easily. Governor: You cannot win, you will not be a VP nominee You must live under the climate of social liberalism you will have created by splitting the vote. Hope you look good in a beard, 'cause it will be hard to look in the mirror.......
Hang in there Huck-my husband and I don't get to vote until April. We are in PA
I am not happy with Holy Huckabee because he doesn't understand economics: Even I can see that if there is a 30% sales tax (fair tax) that as an individual I am going to reduce what I buy not stimulating the economy. Could that be why he has no money and sets up wedding registries when leaving office?
Family: If you don't manage and lead your family can you lead the nation? Wife's should be in submission not equal partners with their husbands. I have never heard Janet Huckabee speak but now I fine out from Newsweek why. She has a very bad reputation for being "thin-skinned and mean spirited" She ran for secretary of state, made false statements about her opponent, used state vehicles and troopers to campaign and told the New York Times "If it wasn't for the grace of God, I'd have shot a few people already." She got trounced in her race – voters saw her run as an unseemly power play by the couple. Sound familiar? His son, David, has been in trouble with the law several times and instead of punishing him Mike rationalizes, minimizes the crimes and punishes those who try to bring him to justice.
Government: Judicial Watch says Mike Huckabee is one of 10 most corrupt politicians in 2007. Many ethics violations. Releases murderers from prison who kill again.
Dirty political tricks: Confederate flag, negative ad responding to Romney's contrast ads, push polling and Chuck Norris's McCain is too old which he stood by and did not rebut. Religion: Only preaches for money. WWJD. Prejudice and bigoted towards Mormons which is the main reason he is staying in the race so Mitt Romney's votes will be reduced.
I am glad to see most evangelicals reject this: see evangelicalsformitt I would encourage you to read Ann Coulter, Hugh Hewitt and Ronald Kessler regarding these candidates.
Hey people, the VP spot is taken by Guiliani. So voting for Huckabee is like voting for Hillary I mean McCain, Whatever, they're synonymous. Get with the program and VOTE Romney!!
Huckleberry is a joke! He dropped out of theology school and is nothing more than a broke preacher who couldn't afford to be Lieutenant Governor of Ar-Kan-sas. A man who can't manage his own finances can't manage America's economy.