(CNN) – Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney may be high up on John McCain's shortlist for VP, but Mike Huckabee suggested Thursday the Arizona senator would be wise to pick another candidate.
Huckabee, whose victory in the Iowa caucuses derailed Romney's campaign last January, suggested the former Massachusetts governor is distrusted among many social conservatives.
"I think the issue is that, you know, in many ways, Mitt Romney has had very definite swings of position, not just on one or two things, but on many of the issues," Huckabee said Thursday on Fox News.
Romney ran as a social conservative, though he acknowledged he was effectively pro-choice until 2004 - a fact that spurred charges last year of political posturing from many. Despite outspending Huckabee overwhelmingly in Iowa, social conservatives there resoundingly picked the ordained minister and former Arkansas governor.
Huckabee likely isn't making friends with the McCain campaign of late. In addition to criticizing Romney - now one of its top surrogates - the Arkansas Republican will reportedly attend a rally on the National Mall Saturday to push McCain and Obama to delve further into issues facing evangelical voters.
But Huckabee said he will support the Republican ticket, no matter who the vice presidential candidate is.
"I'm going to support our nominee," he said. "And I'm more interested in who the president is than who the vice president is, anyway."
As for his own chances of being named McCain's running mate, Huckabee said he isn't counting on it.
"I've said, for many, many months, now that I have no expectation that I'm going to get that phone call," he said. "I even have my cell phone turned off, as we speak."
From CNN Politics
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Huckabee is a bigot. He's just jealous of Romney. There's nothing wrong is a politician changing their mind – as long as they don't change back again – that's a flip-flopper.
John McCain is not that stupid.
Ricymo, don't you know that Arkansas politicians don't know when to shut up and go away? They are shameless fame-a-holics. Arkansas elected a new, Democratic governor and we keep hoping we can get rid of Huckberry, but he just won't go away. Obama all the way in '08
Little Rock, AR
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Those who have been reading the blogs know this to be true. Most of those favoring Romney are like naughty children who fear, but badly need, discipline. They only know how to jeer, taunt, and insult. Huckabee's backers seem more mature, thoughtful, and considerate of those to whom they are speaking.
I guess birds of a feather flock together.
You know – I think it's somewhat amusing that people condemn Obama for listening to Rev. Wright for 20 years. I sat through one Evangelical sermon at Liberty University and there was just as much venom being spewed at that service. They ripped Hillary Clinton and Al Gore while I was there. Long story about how I ended up being there, but short answer is that it was a huge mistake and I felt like I had to shower when it was over.
Ugh....
This is definately not a united party!! I keep wondering why the issue of abortion should be the "end all" question anyway...
And Squire to Knight, you're sadly mistaken if you think Hillary stands a chance in 2012 if she in any way helps McCain win in 2008. She will be a pariah.
McSame does not have a clue.
Bottom line is social conservatives have only two choices...McCain or Obama. It doesn't matter who McCain picks as VP, they have to vote for him anyway if they don't want Obama to win.
huckabee is really lucky he didn't go far and as far as a vp nomination? naw...no way. the dirt on that man reaches all the way back to his origins of politics. this man is as crooked as crooked can be. he makes jack abramoff look like a saint when it comes to manipulation of finances...
he best keep real quiet so they don't spotlight all his skeletons!!!
Mike Huckabee would be the best choice for VP, for McCain. I for one would have to reevaluate my vote if he chooses Mitt Romney.
GO MIKE!
We love YOU!
Neither one of these narrow minded candidates is acceptable. McCain needs to pick a woman or other minority as his VP candidate, this will take millions of votes away from Barak without losing his Republican base, because his base has no where to go. They are stuck with McCain, just like the Demos are stuck the loser Obama.
Ohhhhhhh- bama
Ohhhhhh – EIGHT
Ohhhhhh – YES WE CAN......
Poor Huckleberry . . . he has left the game but cannot leave it alone. What Romney brings to the ticket: Michigan, Nevada, Colorado and possibly Ohio and PA; he also brings the ability to raise money.
Obama and Huckleberry = After it's all said and done, there's more said than done.
I have heard this statement "John McCain does not know a war he didn't like". Hope he picks someone who does not beat the same "drum".
come on! Romney is the best choice....hands down!
Huckabee is a "convenient christian" when it benefits him. With his support of giving illegal aliens free college tuition, he has no room to be pointing the finger about conservative issues. The only way I'm voting for McCain is if Romney is on the ticket, PERIOD. He was the only conservative (other than Thompson the dud) that conservatives had to choose from. Huckabee needs to slither back under the rock he came from.
Should saying that another selection for vp be considered as slamming someone? When I read the title, I thougt there had been a hugh attack.
I get a feeling that the underlying tone just might be that Huckabee doesn’t like Mitt because of his religious beliefs. There, I said it. some one has to.
If Huckabe was the last minister on this earth, I wouldn't listen to his message. He is a phony and when I heard him ridicule Romney's religeous beliefs, I lost all respect for him..You have never heard Romney do that to anyone. He is a good man and he would be the only reason I would vote for McCain!!!
Of course Huckabee doesn't want Romney on the ticket. Huckabee is a far right-winger. What I don't understand is how and why Obama supporters claim to like a far right wing Republican? The best thing McCain can do at this point is have another moderate on the ticket. Its not like the right wingers are going to vote for Obama over McCain – moderate right is still a heck of a lot better than far left to those guys.
'Squire to Knight' -For all you Hillary fans…you better vote for McCain, or she will never be in office. All Clinton fans need to vote McCain, so Hillary can win in 2012. CLINTON 2012!!!
What a giant load of you know what! Can't you figure out what the Clinton supporters do this time will be paid in full back to her in 2012??? Sorry but in 2012 Hillary will be old news and millions of BO supporters will make sure she isn't even close to being nominated.
Huckabee would make a great VP and really draw in the votes for McCain. In a recent Rasmussen Reports poll, he was at the top of the heap for VP candidates. He's the smart pick.
Isn't funny how in all the democratic conventions of the past the contenders had their names on the ballot. Even Ted Kennedy who had only 600 delegetes had his name on the ballot. Now the ONE along with queen Pelosi and prince Dean decided to take Hillary's name off and now if they put it back it should be seen as a gift from the ONE Barry Soetoro or Obama.No matter what Caferty wants to insinuate with his heartburn look that it's all Hillary's planning is wrong. There is a growing movement to get Hillary elected and has nothing to do with her planning anything. It's just that more and more people realize that she is the best possible choice for the country and that the primary caucuses were undemocratic.
Say what you will about Romney, but he was the only Republican Candidate that could debate intelligently, and not depend on cheap 'one liners' to get some cheers and claps. That intelligence is now missing from both candidates. McCain and Obama both rely on 'one liners', and don't ever have to explain the reprocusions of there differing policy ideals, and the ignorant public follows.