February 12, 2008
Posted: 12:13 PM ET

DULLES TOLL ROAD, Virginia (CNN) – Thirteen miles from Dulles International Airport, the Huckabee press van carrying reporters from Washington D.C. to the airport for a flight to Little Rock, Arkansas ground to a halt on the side of the highway, out of gas.

The driver turned the key over and over, desperately hoping that the gas needle firmly set on ‘E’ was wrong. The staffer in charge of wrangling the press called ahead to let the campaign know what had happened, as the press in the back of the van pondered whether there were any metaphorical implications.

Huckabee’s bodyman Drake Jarman appeared at the window — he'd seen us in distress, and pulled over in another van carrying more reporters coming from elsewhere in Washington. After dubbing himself a “knight in shining armor,” reporters quickly squeezed into the rescue van and were whisked to the airport.

As we sit on the plane, the traveling press is assured our bags had been salvaged from the side of the road and loaded on. We’ll find out in a few hours.

–CNN Political Producer Alexander Marquardt

Filed under: Mike Huckabee


Jim from SC   February 12th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

America, vote your conscience, it's the only chance to get our Country back. Mike Huckabee is my choice and after voting on the Democratic “Presidential” ticket for 32 years, he is a candidate that can bring a Nation together. He also gives the Country a new face in Washington with fresh ideas and a zeal that places people above politics regardless of race, gender, religion or political affiliation. The Democrats understand the total validity of the campaign and realize that the Republicans will be lose in November unless they get behind an honest contender. By lose, I mean more than just the Presidential race.

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!"
Benjamin Franklin

Jim   February 12th, 2008 7:09 pm ET

Huckabee is Super! Even if he doesn't get elected as President he has pointed out that everyone has the right to vote and that all the votes matter because this is America. He upholds the Law and supports correct thinking! For example: it is incorrect for queer couples to marry and he would make sure they cannot engage in a ceremony reserved for NORMAL people.

Huckabee points out that the basis of law comes from the 10 commandments (which came from God), and all other laws are based on these fair and good commandments. Our founding fathers recognized this and wrote the constitution in such a way to ensure a strong America. Separation of church and state has nothing to do with obeying laws that uphold decency and truth.

Huckabee unites America by upholding the law and rejecting the perversion that is overwhelming many confused Americans. America is great and will continue to be great as long as it's citizens honor the law. Perverted minds want to debase others and promote shame. Thank God for people like Mike Huckabee who will stand up for decency!

Teach and preach TRUTH! Never be tolerant of shameful, debase, incorrect thinking!

Gary   February 12th, 2008 5:27 pm ET

I guess their prayers for gas went unanswered. Either that, or Hickabee ran out of corporate donors to pay it. Maybe McCain will lend some from his coffers to help a buddy out.

Shannon Shiflett   February 12th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

who cares. next.

Michael   February 12th, 2008 4:38 pm ET

I know the problem must be mine (I'm a conservative), but I just don't get Huckabee. In a Proustian way, he is redolent of witch hazel, an ingredient of the small town barber.

Richard Johnson   February 12th, 2008 4:13 pm ET

This is newsworthy?

Doug   February 12th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

I agree with Glen - the lives of the reporters are not news.

Are you going to file a story if you hit a bump and spill coffee on yourself? If the Huckabee campaign manager loaned you a pen and it ran out of ink, would that be a story?

If McCain's car drove by while you were alongside the road and the candidate mooned you, THAT would be news. Why? Because it involves the candidate. See the difference?

Please DON'T update us on whether you got your bags alright.

matthew   February 12th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

Wow, glen sure is angry. He did click on the link and read it, right?

kari berele   February 12th, 2008 3:03 pm ET

As long as Huckabee doesn't run out of gas, I'm okay. What's a few reporters.

:-)
Kari

Glen, Boston, MA   February 12th, 2008 2:43 pm ET

Extra! Extra!

I was walking down the sidewalk the other day and tripped! Initial reports suggest that the apparent cause of the incident was a protruding slab of concrete. Metaphorical implications at 11!

Seriously. You are not news. No matter how close you are to people who are news, never forget that YOU are not news.

James   February 12th, 2008 2:43 pm ET

Well McCain's "straight talk express" lost its wheels right around 2004.

Wayne, Greenville TX   February 12th, 2008 2:42 pm ET

To be followed very soon by Huckabee's entire campaign running out of gas….. :-)

Earl, Chicago   February 12th, 2008 12:59 pm ET

Foreshadowing of his campaign.

Bubba   February 12th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

It's the sign Huck's been waiting for! A message from the Man Upstairs, saying "You're running out of gas."

BJ Hall   February 12th, 2008 12:56 pm ET

Ha Ha Mike Huckalbee

Serves you right! you should not even be in the race. You should have pulled out before the Feb. 5th Primary!!!!! You are deceitful and self-serving!!!!! How can you call yourself a Conservative or a Republican. You are serving the Democrats by staying in the race. Hope you sit by the side of the road forever!!!! That's where you belong!

Henry Miller, Cary, NC   February 12th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

Is this the kind of stellar planning we could expect from a Huckabee administration?

GCN   February 12th, 2008 12:53 pm ET

Light news day ay? Keep us all posted on the luggage thing. It sounds like you are beginning to miss home - a lot.

Huckabee press bus adventures:
"We think it's news; so will you?"

Rose   February 12th, 2008 12:53 pm ET

Huckabee is pathetic; he preaches that everyone has the right to vote and that all the votes matter (in wake of the Washington mess) because this is America. Yet, he wants to take away rights of others, for instance, the right for gay couples to marry.

He preaches that the 10 commandments are the only laws needed to govern; did he miss the part about keeping church and state separate in the constitution? He is a joke.

He only wants to give rights to those he deems worthy, when last I checked this was the United States of America and we are all equal. Any candidate that does not believe that is a joke. We are moving to the future so why is he dividing the country??

For the country to become a powerful force in the world the citizens must unite. That is what the job of the President must be. And as long as preachers are out there advocating to taking away rights of others there will not be any uniting. When we can accept each other for who we are and respect the beliefs of others, this country will be a beautiful place. Huckabee looks to dividend the country and damage any chances to unite.

Teach and preach tolerance.

Populist   February 12th, 2008 12:52 pm ET

Guess that bus doesnt run on faith.

David, Dallas Tx   February 12th, 2008 12:45 pm ET

Well thank Heaven THIS story was reported. This is almost as important as knowing that somebody somewhere has an alligator in their yard.

C'mon, CNN. There's a thing out there called "news". Let's report on it. Thanks!

ray   February 12th, 2008 12:45 pm ET

I guess that is a metaphor for the Huckabee campaign…… out of gas. If he has any chance of becoming VP he should do the math and quit carrying on the charade.

Amanda   February 12th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

The huckmobile ran out of gas a long time ago.

Jon   February 12th, 2008 12:37 pm ET

Who cares?

What a worthless story, all for a cheap headline.

Shame on this reporting.

Altoid   February 12th, 2008 12:35 pm ET

This made the news ticker?!?! Unbelievable.

steve   February 12th, 2008 12:34 pm ET

Most pointless thing I've ever read.

Claustro   February 12th, 2008 12:25 pm ET

Man, that's gotta suck. But it's /hella/ funny. But it's gotta suck. Ahaha. Hmm.

Kathleen   February 12th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

poor reporters. :(

Larry   February 12th, 2008 12:15 pm ET

wow, what an exciting article. Whats next? How about an article on the type of peanuts you were served on the plane.

Kathy   February 12th, 2008 12:15 pm ET

Huckabee should take it as a sign

JCL, Kentucky   February 12th, 2008 12:10 pm ET

Huckabee does believe in "signs from above", right?

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