February 7, 2008
Posted: 09:45 PM ET

(CNN) — Mike Huckabee said Thursday he will continue his quest for the Republican nomination, and directly appealed for support from backers of Mitt Romney’s now suspended presidential bid.

"As a true authentic, consistent, conservative, I have a vision to bring hope, opportunity and prosperity to all Americans, and I'd like to ask for and welcome the support of those who had previously been committed to Mitt," Huckabee said in a statement.

Full story

– CNN Producer Alexander Mooney

Filed under: Mike Huckabee • Mitt Romney


Robert Martin   February 8th, 2008 9:34 am ET

Yeah–Go Huck!! Back to AR-KANSAS, that is. If Romney couldn't beat Mac by simple operation of mathematics–what in blazes makes you think you can? You are even further behind than he was. Maybe you preachers and mormons should remember that bit about "Render unto Caeser" and stay the heck out of secular matters. I am a Christian, and the only theocracy I wish to live under is the one Christ establishes upon His return. So follow His good example, and return to Arkansas.

R. A. Kett   February 7th, 2008 10:05 pm ET

I'd like every conservative who is depressed about Romney's departure from the contest and is weary to support McCain to consider this: you don't have to support McCain. Who's to stop you from voting for a true conservative voice of your choice? The time is now for the true conservative voice to reemerge in American politics. Unite behind one guy, though. No sense in twenty million angry conservatives voting for twenty million ideal conservatives.

jack   February 7th, 2008 8:15 pm ET

Fair tax, fair trade, 'Fair and Balanced'. Some tells me that 'fair' is only for a small group of people in his country…and I'm not one of them. Hummm….if Fox news tells me I'm wrong, what should I do?

Derek, Honolulu HI   February 7th, 2008 8:13 pm ET

What about an aggressive, pre-emptive, trillion dollar foreign policy is conservative? Can anyone tell me?

Ron Paul is the only conservative left in this race.

self   February 7th, 2008 7:33 pm ET

Funny how he's welcoming in the supporters of the person he's had such hateful things to say about.

Rob   February 7th, 2008 6:41 pm ET

Not a chance we'd vote for Huckster—his dirty tricks are the only reason Romney isn't in today. Huckster doesn't have the intelligence or honesty to even be running for Pres,. You're ruining the party Huck and all for your ego.

Mark in Iowa   February 7th, 2008 6:33 pm ET

Mike, now we will see how much McCain needs you now. He will not be Mr. Nice Guy anymore. If you wanted the support of the Romney voters maybe you shouldn't painted him in such negative light.

Marty   February 7th, 2008 6:33 pm ET

Much as I hate McCain, stick a fork in Huckabee - he's done.

al   February 7th, 2008 6:31 pm ET

cool..now Republicans can have a clear choice between subservient Theocracy and blatant warmongering

Jo   February 7th, 2008 6:29 pm ET

Hucklebee will keep going because he wants the vice presidential spot of the ticket. He doesn't really care how he gets to Washington, as long as there is a free house and staff to help run it.

Joe   February 7th, 2008 6:28 pm ET

I think Huckabee would be a good VP selection for McCain. He would bring conservative balance to the McCain administration

Bil TGH, Streamwood, IL   February 7th, 2008 6:28 pm ET

When the Democrats gain more seats in the Senate and House this November, we can all blame George Bush and Dick Cheney.

When the Democrats gain control of the White House in November, we can all blame Mike Huckabee.

J P   February 7th, 2008 6:22 pm ET

this is NOT a two man race! Ron Paul is the true conservative!

Hamburgesa   February 7th, 2008 6:19 pm ET

CORRECTION - It is a THREE man race! Ron Paul is in for the long haul! Please stop ignoring him and printing inaccurate remarks.

Eric   February 7th, 2008 6:12 pm ET

He is not Mitt Romney, but he is a TRUE conservative. As long as Huck is in the race he has my back. When he bails, I will not vote.

Phil from Dallas   February 7th, 2008 6:08 pm ET

I can only hope that Obama beats Hillary in the democratic race. I cannot support McCain or Huckabee.

JasonV, Oklahoma City, OK   February 7th, 2008 6:06 pm ET

The dark horse has emerged!

JasonV, Oklahoma City, OK   February 7th, 2008 6:05 pm ET

With only 50% of delegates accounted for I'd stay in too! Huck-A-Boom

Bob Knight   February 7th, 2008 6:01 pm ET

Both McCain and Hbee can go to H

tomdavie   February 7th, 2008 5:59 pm ET

Romneys move here to heal his image and help the party is to pledge all of his delegates to John Mc Cain.

This will put Mc Cain over the top and crush Huckabees hopes of a vice president bid.

R Moore   February 7th, 2008 5:59 pm ET

I wish Romney would have bailed out earlier. Huckabee would be in a completely different position with most conservatives splitting between Mitt and Mike. Can we do Super Tuesday over?

JC   February 7th, 2008 5:56 pm ET

He needs to follow Mitt's example.

JSE, Omaha NE   February 7th, 2008 5:56 pm ET

Dream on preacher boy! You're toast.

Walt, Belton,TX   February 7th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

Gov Huckabee,

Think you would fit right in as McCain's VP. Good balance, grit and the right kind of person.

Ken N.   February 7th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

Aiding a surrender to terror? Please.

As an independent Latter Day Saint, I plan to vote for whoever the democratic winner is.

Stu P.   February 7th, 2008 5:54 pm ET

Governor Huckabee should follow Governor Romney's lead and step down from the race . . . There's simply no way that he will catch up to McCain in this race. Also, Huckabee is not a true conservative any more than McCain is. The Republicans need to start getting ready for the national race and unite so that Hillary can not get into office.

anonomiuos   February 7th, 2008 5:53 pm ET

clinton will win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! shes strong and independent and brave

independent for obama   February 7th, 2008 5:52 pm ET

whatever

rlkidd   February 7th, 2008 5:52 pm ET

BREAKING NEWS " McCain unifies the Repulican party, withdraws from race.
Sure looks good on paper.

Steph   February 7th, 2008 5:52 pm ET

YEAH, MIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It just makes me mad that so many people that would have voted for Huckabee voted for McCain (as fine of a man as he is) as a vote against Romney :(

Glen   February 7th, 2008 5:50 pm ET

Wrong, it's a 3 man race Dr. Ron Paul, McInsane and the Huckster.

Sal in Phoenix   February 7th, 2008 5:48 pm ET

Huckabee, go home! Youv'e worn out your welcome.

KRIS IN WA   February 7th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

Huckabee, it's evident that the only real man who has values and the qualifications in this Republican race was Mitt Romney. You are a wolf in sheeps clothes and a religious bigot who is by no means qualified to run this great country of ours.

Nicci   February 7th, 2008 5:47 pm ET

Huckabee is not qualified for this run and McCain is an arrogant, selfish, grumpy old man. Now that Romney's out I have no more faith in the Republican party.

Without a great leader like Rommey to vote for, I'm switching party lines and voting for Obama. He won't mess up our country as much as McCain and Huckabee would.

Antoine Charvet   February 7th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

This is a THREE-PERSON race, despite what CNN might want to have us believe, once again RON PAUL is being censored by the media, you guys are going to look stupid if he wins the nomination.

Darth Vadik, CA   February 7th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

All the conservatives and the religious are going to go to Huckabee, as a matter of fact if it wasn't for Romney, Huck might have been a lot closer to McCain than he is now.

If Texas is a take all state for Republicans, he could give McCain a run for his money, this one is not quite yet over, me thinks…

…by the way anybody know when Ron Paul is?

RD   February 7th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

As a Romney supporter I will not throw my support behind Huck. I may grudgingly support McCain as the lesser evil compared to Hillary, but if McCain chooses Huck as his VP I'll in no way vote for that ticket.

danny   February 7th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

Romney said, "I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror." So once again a Republican is insinuating that Democrats are essentially not opposed to terrorism. Just like Republicans try to paint Democrats as unpatriotic or un-American. When will they propose that we bring back HUAC?

EVS   February 7th, 2008 5:44 pm ET

Keep up the good work Huckabee !!!!

Darth Vadik, CA   February 7th, 2008 5:43 pm ET

And why should he…

…run Huck run….

Anonymous   February 7th, 2008 5:40 pm ET

Mike Huckabee is our last chance to preserve individual rights and freedom. A vote fior anyone else is a sellout of our armed forces and states' rights. He is the most capable to solving illegal immigration and winning the war against terrorism!

Erik A   February 7th, 2008 5:39 pm ET

What's with the non-stop updates on conservatives? The story in American politics over the past 3-4 years is the collapse of the conservative sway on elections. Conservatives don't like McCain and he's winning; conservatives wanted Romney and he couldn't win primaries; conservatives oppose Clinton and Obama and one of them will be the next president.

The 'conservative movement' is no more.

Iowa   February 7th, 2008 5:38 pm ET

Go Huckster, we are behind you!

Derek, Riverside CA   February 7th, 2008 5:38 pm ET

You've got a chance Huck! Go get him!

I'll go on record that he's out of the race by wednesday.

Binky Barnes   February 7th, 2008 5:37 pm ET

Poor, duplicitous Huckabee-he is mistaken if he thinks any of us that supported Romney will ever support him.

David   February 7th, 2008 5:37 pm ET

With Mitt out… That means Obama has somemore supporters. Welcome friends!

Craig Hayes   February 7th, 2008 5:36 pm ET

Can Huckabee's advisors not add? It is mathematically impossible for Huckabee to win, even if he secured every single delegate that is left.

Quirkydude   February 7th, 2008 5:32 pm ET

Ron Paul isn't quitting either.

Farrell, Houston, Tx   February 7th, 2008 5:32 pm ET

How are republicans going to swallow Huckabee if he's John McCain's running mate? They can bearly swallow John McCain without Huckabee shoveling himself down their throats. The two of them are not a pretty or smart picture together.

Jayson   February 7th, 2008 5:31 pm ET

As admiral as the idea of fighting on until the end is there is little to no chance that with Romney out of the picture that McCain can be stopped. Huckabee will have to live with the fact that he along with Romney practically gave McCain a free ride because they were too scared to point out McCains many flaws that would make him unelectable as President.

Joy   February 7th, 2008 5:30 pm ET

Can he not add…….

Charlotte   February 7th, 2008 5:29 pm ET

Well at least McCain wont have to spend much. Huck is broke.

Will   February 7th, 2008 5:29 pm ET

Ron Paul vows to keep fighting too! Where's your post about HIS speech (that drew applause and cheers) at CPAC? Oh - that's right, CNN refuses to cover the real conservative in the race.

Shelley   February 7th, 2008 5:28 pm ET

So, if I am reading that correctly, Mitt dropped out because if he didn't the terrorists would win. That is just beyond pathetic, and proof that he is exactly what the country DOESN'T need.

Paul Thompson   February 7th, 2008 5:28 pm ET

Fair Tax….Fair Trade…Fair Leadership!

He Gets It!!!

Terry, Seattle WA   February 7th, 2008 5:28 pm ET

"two-man race"? Hello?! Ron Paul's still in it to win it!

Ben   February 7th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

I believe he will be there to the end but he has no legitimate chance of winning.

Huckabee 08   February 7th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

Huckabee's got my vote! The ONLY choice for President!

Colleen Kansas City, Mo   February 7th, 2008 5:25 pm ET

If he wants to aid in the war on terror he can send one of thoes boys of his. I'm just glad he's gone!!

Scotch Plains, NJ   February 7th, 2008 5:25 pm ET

"Mike Huckabee said Thursday he will continue his quest for the Republican nomination, and directly appealed for support from backers of Mitt Romney’s now suspended presidential bid."

Are you kidding me Mike? It was YOU who screwed over Romney, why would his supporters ever switch over to you?

Steve   February 7th, 2008 5:25 pm ET

Get out Huckabee…. no one wants you…..You are more liberal then even John McCain

McCain/Romney in '08

JC in IL   February 7th, 2008 5:24 pm ET

Huckabee doesn't deserve any of Romney's supporters until he can apologize for bigoted remarks about Mormons.

Loops   February 7th, 2008 5:23 pm ET

Huckabee sure is true and consistent - in what - only he knows.

Johnson   February 7th, 2008 5:23 pm ET

Good luck with that. The top republicans have already gotten together and said that they were with McCain and nothing is going to change the eventual outcome. Huck and prolong it for as long as he wants, but McCain will win.

shaun   February 7th, 2008 5:23 pm ET

There's absolutely no chance for huck to win, so he needs give up and save some of the respect he's garnered from super tuesday….

vp anyone

Chris Texas   February 7th, 2008 5:22 pm ET

Doesn't Huckabee understand it's mathmatically impossible for him to win the GOP nomination? Do the Republicans honestly want someone in office with the math skills of a 1st grader?
Huckabee, you're still in the race because you want the attention. Go away and let McCain attempt to unite your party. The Republicans will need it come November whether it be Hillary, who will plow McCain, or Obama who will gather the support of swing voters and young americans, McCain will need all the support he can get. Huckabee is just splitting the GOP so come November, Much needed Democrats will hold the Presidential Seat.

R. Mullen   February 7th, 2008 5:20 pm ET

I am saddened that Mitt Romney is no longer running for president. He would have been able to fix our economy, take care of domestic issures and protect our country from outside evil. How sad that the Republicans could not see this. McCain is too old and still of the old boy's club. Nothing will change. If he continues to run on his POW status, I say, get over it, get on with it, That was years ago and you were not the only one who experienced the ugliness of war.

Kim Tennessee   February 7th, 2008 5:14 pm ET

Would someone on CNN please do the math and tell us if Mike Huckabee has any hope of being able to get the delegates and come from behind? He pulled off a miracle on Super Tuesday, and I wonder if Mitt's voters knew then what they know now, would they have voted for Mike or Mac? If Mike had his votes plus Mitt's then McCain would NOT be the frontrunner! Why did so many Republicans listen to Rush Limbaugh instead of their hearts? Huh? Please do the Delegate Math now! Thanks!

Wes   February 7th, 2008 5:11 pm ET

Stay on, Gov. Huckabee. We need a principled man like you as our President. Let not the conservative values and principles die out. Go Huck!!!

Mar   February 7th, 2008 5:11 pm ET

This is to show the game that is been made in the election. Huckabee don't quit, you might be the nominee despite all the tactics by the republican party.

Conservative4Life, USA   February 7th, 2008 5:10 pm ET

Give it up Huck…

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com