Huckabee unfamiliar with ‘bowing out gracefully’ concept

February 22, 2008

It occurred to me this morning that I’ve barely even thought about Mike Huckabee for quite a while. What’s he been up to, now what John McCain’s hold on the Republican nomination is all but assured? Apparently, he was in San Antonio yesterday, seemingly comparing his campaign to the Alamo.

Mike Huckabee could read the writing on the wall: “I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna — I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours . . . I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country — Victory or Death.”

The delusions of a presidential candidate whose time has passed? Actually, no. These are the words of Col. William Barret Travis, viewed by Huckabee as he toured the Alamo shrine here Thursday afternoon. And the former Arkansas governor drew inspiration for his lost-cause campaign for the Republican nomination from Travis — who, in dying with Davy Crockett and the rest of his men here in 1836, became part of one of the most heroic failures in history.

“His letter is one of the greatest,” Huckabee announced, after asking the tour guide to show him the famous words. He then went out into the Alamo plaza and, besieged not by Mexican soldiers but by autograph seekers, traced a line between the defenders of the Alamo to his own battle against presumptive GOP nominee John McCain and the Republican Party establishment.

“I refuse to allow the establishment or the party bosses in Washington or anywhere else to tell us this is over,” he said. “For me to pull out of the election before Texas gets to vote would not only be unacceptable, it would be inexcusable,” he said. “It’s not Republican, and it’s not American.”

I have to admit, I’m not sure what that means. Why would it be un-American for a candidate who’s losing to drop out? Because Texans haven’t had a chance to vote? That’s true, but it also suggests Huckabee won’t withdraw before July, which is technically when the last Republican contest is held — the Nebraska caucuses on July 12. (“For me to pull out of the election before Nebraskans get to vote would not only be unacceptable, it would be inexcusable….”)

And what does Huckabee plan to do in the interim? Apparently, complain about the people trying to give him the hook.

Indeed, he seemed to be more than a little peeved a couple of days ago.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) on Wednesday strongly criticized his party establishment, arguing that they have lost touch with their base.

“Republicans have decided that elections are a messy thing, and anointings and coronations are much better,” Huckabee said on MSNBC. “It’s that kind of attitude that is going to be the death of the Republican Party in this country.”

Is it me, or does this sound kind of silly? If the pressure was on to drop out after, say, South Carolina, and Huckabee wanted to argue then that there’s plenty of campaigning left to do, fine. But there have been 36 GOP contests. Huckabee not only came up short, but he has no money left to mount a futile comeback bid. I’m the last guy to defend the Republican establishment, but to call this race over does not make one hostile to “elections.”

So, where does Huckabee see all of this going?

Invoking the words of Crockett — “believe you’re right and go forward” — Huckabee forecast a victory in the Texas primary on March 4 and a brokered Republican convention in the summer.

This came during the same remarks yesterday in which he said the Alamo shouldn’t necessarily be considered a defeat.

And what does Huckabee plan to do in the interim?

Hang around waiting for McCain to implode.

Sometimes even the 2-guard gets a rebound, if he ‘s in the paint at the right time.

  • I think what Huckabee’s doing is smart. At the very least, he’s giving GOPers a chance to vent their frustrations with McCain. I think that will improve McCain’s legitimacy in the end.

  • Huckabee looks a lot less silly if you think McCain might suddenly drop out due to scandals … leaving guess who as the presumptive frontrunner, and stirring up lord-only-knows what sort of s***storm at the Republican convention.

  • He’s after the federal election funds. He gets to keep (personally) whatever is leftover. He’s just another religionist con man.

  • Huckabee’s got nothing else to do and he’s developed this personna (at least in his mind) that he’s fallen in love with and he doesn’t want this romance to end. Very understandable. Also, what happens if more bombshells fall on McCain (a real probability)? Right now, Huckabee would be in the best position to become the GOP candidate if McCain had to drop out. Huckabee doesn’t want to lose his spot in the line. And besides, he knows that his actions aren’t going to cause McCain to lose any votes in November and so he won’t create a well of resentment among conservatives. In fact, he will likely benefit from the recriminations that are inevitable.

  • 1.) Alamo—everybody died.

    2.) Huckabee’s campaign—he compares it to the Alamo.

    3.) Huckabee >>> are we talking a Jim Jones type thing here? Quaff the poison kool-aid, and all that? Lemmings over the cliff?

    Yes—this has truly become “the silly season….”

  • He wants to be a “professional Presidential Candidate”. He will stump to the end. Trumpet the “Lost Cause” till 2012 and then run AGAIN against whoever in the race at the time to knock the Dems out of the WH. Then he will lecture for the rest of this life about how the Republican Machine stole these elections from the “Right” portion of the Republican Party.

    Heck, $15 to $30k for a speach? How many do you have to give to make a nice living. That and guest slots on the 700 Club, tee he.

  • Huckabee believes in miracles and McCain is an old guy facing a lot of stress. Plus, he keeps the god party people in the loop ready for their comeback. They’ve never had their own private politician rise so high.

  • Any chance that his staying in, albeit in a very reduced capacity and one where he really does not attack the frontrunner, helps the frontrunner regarding the frontrunner’s use/raising of funds (primary v. general limits)?

  • Wonder if Huckabee had advance knowledge about the McCain scandal?

    The non sourced scandal sat on since December and finally published by the NYT…possibly published to preempt publication in the National Review?

    Maybe old Huck knew there was coming.

  • Maybe it’s because Huckabee learned he has no chance to be picked as VP, so he’s going to make McCain suffer for it.

  • Wonder if Huckabee had advance knowledge about the McCain scandal?

    I’m sure God gave him a heads-up a couple of weeks ago….

  • Here’s some wild speculation: Republicans take advantage of McCain’s ethical problems (isn’t that ironic), and bring in a last minute knight in shining armor. They will rationalize that delegates are not committed (which is more true with Republicans than Dems). Republicans will generally accept this, since unlike the Dems, they don’t have an “abundance of riches” when it comes to candidates.

    However, the knight in shining armor will not and cannot be Huckabee or Romney, since it is too easy to argue that they were rejected by the voters. In fact, with such small pluralities, one can easily argue that McCain is not the people’s choice, either. But if a large majority of the delegates vote for, say Bill Owens, former governor of Colorado, who is largely unvetted nationally, the party would cheer.

  • i don’t care why he’s doing it; i’m just happy he is. everyday that huckabee stays in the race and rips today’s gop elite is a day that some huckabee voter might decide to stay home in november.

  • “Republicans have decided that elections are a messy thing, and anointings and coronations are much better,” Huckabee said on MSNBC. “It’s that kind of attitude that is going to be the death of the Republican Party in this country.”

    Is it me, or does this sound kind of silly?

    It’s just you. That sounds like an accurate description of the Republican Party machine I left behind a decade ago, and I doubt they’ve gotten better. The more rank-and-file members who get this message the better, IMHO.

    Huck is seeing how much of a constituency he can build. He’s got nothing better to do, and he’s campaigning on a shoestring budget anyway. Any money he collects from donors who are trying to “send a message” to the national GOP can go towards any other run for Federal office he wants to undertake (thanks McCain-Feingold). So what motivation does he have to drop out? He can squirrel the money away for a 2012 run if McCain loses and keep building his image as the “guy who was right and wouldn’t stop fighting” among the party base right now. And, if McCain wins the general, then he can use that warchest for a Senate race if he wants to instead. Or he can give it to someone else making a Federal run, IIRC.

    He’s getting a good chunk of support, embarrassing the high-ups in his party into understanding that the religious wing is peeved at them, and, most importantly, not spending his own money to do it. The fact that he’s lined up for a “miracle” if McCain has a heart attack or a scandal eruption is just bonus. He has zero incentive to drop out any time soon, unless he starts geting bored or missing his wife.

  • Huck won’t get the nod no matter what. With Romney and his “suspended” campaign, he will the the one to get the nod from the goopers if McCain tanks. They wanted Romney from the start (oooh, those shoulders a 747 could land on…SWOON FAINT THUD); it was The People who didn’t.

    But I doubt that what the people want matters to goopers. I only wonder if it matters to dems. Remains to be seen.

  • Folks need to wake up…

    If this were the Alamo and folks were fighting for our freedom would we stand and fight?
    If this were WWII and we knew that defeating the enemy was critical for the good of the world and our own national security would we lay down our lives? We would and we did.
    If this were the American Revolution and we were fighting for our liberty (against taxation without representation) would we fight? We did and we need to again.

    Today, a key enemy comes from within. Remember that whole taxation without representation argument from the 1700s? Our tax system creates BIG winners and BIG losers. Does anyone reading this feel that their tax interests are being represented against high-paid special interest lobbyists? Our monetary system (you know, inflation) also breaks the back of the middle class (by design). The game is tilted to the advantage of BIG business and BIG government and keeps small business and “We the People” on a treadmill that flows power and wealth up the ladder.

    The Fair Tax levels the playing field and takes away the tax advantages for Washington/Wall Street economic and political elite vs. the middle class and for small business vs. BIG business. In other words, it is tax neutral for everyone and every entity which promotes free market and ability for all to compete and prosper.

    Now, there are two candidates who are for free market and a level playing field. Can you guess who they are? Yep, they are the ones that have been dismissed and marginalized throughout this primary season. Care to guess why they are dismissed and marginalized? Could it be that a lot of (tax) advantaged folks and Big Businesses with tremendous influence are VERY interested in keeping the game going? Anyone else feel that these tax-code winners who have BIG money to pay lobbyists also have tremendous influence in helping their candidates win elections in order to ensure that they protect their advantages? How might they do this? Well, if our news sources are directed to keep positive spin for favorable candidates and negative spin (or just marginalize/dismiss) unfavorable candidates would that ensure that their advantages are protected? Want more taxation without representation? Elect the media darlings.

    Folks, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul are the only two candidates who are not beholden to “the game”. I favor Huckabee because he pushes the Fair Tax and peace through strength. I urge our country to wake up and fight for our freedom and the freedom of our children. Please vote Mike Huckabee.

  • Danp #13 – Bill Owens was a Republican golden boy for a while but he has messy woman problems too, getting divorced from his wife with rumors of adultery, and that’s when his star began to fade. Huckabee still looks better to the religious righties than Owens because of that.

    Huck’s in a no-lose situation right now. He knows a lot of the Republican base is unhappy about McCain and the longer Huck stays in the more legitimacy he gains for his future political ambitions. If the whole Iseman affair blows up, McCain will be a pretty unpopular guy at the Minneapolis convention and the party may want to chose someone else with more than a snowball’s chance in hell of winning. Plus Huck is right about the Republican party’s aversion to an honest to goodness primary season. Huck may pull a Howard Dean and lose the nomination but wind-up with the keys to the party’s chairmanship.

  • Shorter Huckabee: “You can all go to hell, I’m going to Texas!”

    Oops, that’s plagarism.

  • He’s staying in mostly because he’s a dick. He’s used to being in the public eye and can’t stand the thought of no one asking him for his autograph. He is everything that Christ wasn’t (a total egotistical prick) and vies versa. He gave God the credit for his short lived surge. Will he now blame God that he wasn’t the nominee?

  • He’s staying in to keep off the weight he lost. He’s afraid if he quits, he’ll go on a major binge and put the 100lbs back on. After the convention, he’ll come out with his own weight-loss infomercial, book, DVD, the whole schmeer.

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