McCain Doubts He’ll Debate Huckabee, Keeps Sights on Obama
John McCain made it clear Wednesday he has little interest in holding any more debates with GOP rival Mike Huckabee before the March 4 primaries, which could push him over the numerical threshold needed for the Republican presidential nomination.
Huckabee, who is trailing McCain by more than 700 delegates, challenged the Arizona senator to debate in a letter Tuesday.
“We have a pretty hard and fast schedule,” McCain said Wednesday. “We’ve debated 16 times so we’ll examine it … but frankly I doubt it.”
Huckabee asked McCain to join him for a “Lincoln-Douglas-style debate so that voters can better understand our views on critical issues such as health care, education, energy independence, terrorism and national security.”
He noted that Obama and Hillary Clinton have had that opportunity — the two Democrats debated in Cleveland Tuesday night for their 20th and last time before March 4.
“It seems only fitting to me that Republican primary voters are offered the same,” Huckabee wrote.
McCain had said earlier in the day that his campaign never heard from Huckabee about a debate, despite the fact that Huckabee has been making the request publicly since Mitt Romney dropped out.
McCain is instead focusing on Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama, who traded jabs with him Wednesday over comments Obama made at Tuesday’s debate about fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq. McCain has sharpened his focus on Obama as he’s racked up victories over Huckabee, and has challenged the Illinois senator on his support of earmarks and his hedging on a pledge to use public financing in a general election.
Despite their good relations, Huckabee has said repeatedly he will challenge McCain until the GOP convention in Minnesota in September. A week ago, Huckabee defended McCain during the uproar over a New York Times article that linked him to a female Washington lobbyist.
Polls show Huckabee has not faded away in Ohio and Texas, which vote March 4.
An American Research Group poll from Feb. 23-24 showed McCain with a slim 4-point edge over Huckabee in Texas, leading 45 to 41 percent. The same group showed McCain with an 11-point lead in Ohio.
Senior staffers told FOX News that while the American Research Group polls can differ wildly at times, the crowds for Huckabee have been considerably bigger than the crowds for McCain; a sign, they say, that Huckabee is gaining formidable ground in the Lone Star state.
FOX News’ Serafin Gomez and Mosheh Oinounou contributed to this report.
One of the big losers in this presidential campaign is Fox News who lost their fair and balanced mantle in the process. Their handling of debate was a disaster.
Dear Sirs:
It is very unfortunate that Sen. McCain will not debate Gov. Huckabee. We deserve to hear them discuss the issues and hear their differences. I view this decision of McCains’ as very cowardly, and certainly not respectful of the American people or our political process.
Of course, Fox news has not done anything to encourage a FAIR coverage of the candidates. In fact, it is completely disappointing that Fox news has completely left out any news of Huckabee over the past several days and only talk about McCain as if the nomination is already decided. I have become quite frustrated with Fox news and probably will not continue to listen to them. I know many other people who think the same way. You could have encouraged a debate and helped to present a truthful and fair coverage of the campaigns, but you have not. Unfortunately, you have lost many listeners.
GOP want McCain b/s they think many people won’t vote for an African-American(that’s what I heard) and McCain will win. Wake up people those days are gone. Don’t underestimate Huckabee, because he’s still unknown doesn’t mean He can’t beat Obama!
I am a first time registered republican voter. I believe a debate between Senator. McCain and former Gov. Huckabee is a must for the republican party and for the American people. America is promoting democracy around the world, now the World is watching America. We lead by example not by simply words.
“We demand DEBATE,DEBATE,DEBATE!!!”
Go Mike, go Mike all the way to the White House!!!
Sen. McCain,
Why are you running scared? Gov. Huckabee has asked you to a debate. The American people want to know where you stand, where you REALLY stand. As a voter who I want to know why you won’t stand up and be a real politician. Just because the media says your are the GOP nominnee doesn’t mean that WE true conservatives want you (and you called yourself right a liberal) as our president. Let the people decide. That is what a democracy is all about. Stop running scared show us what you are truely made of.
I am all for a debate between Huckabee and McCain. The American people want to know what McCain stands for. I definitly tired of hearing Hillary, Obama, McCain, Hillary, Obama, McCain, Hillary, Obama and Oh yes did I mention McCain. All the arguing, bashing, back biting, Why would we want that as leadership for our great county.
I think it’s pure fear on the part of McCain to opt out of debating Huckabee, particularly just prior to primaries in two of the largest (and deciding) elections of the entire race for the Presidency — Ohio and Texas. It’s probably “good politics” on his part, but I believe he’s afraid Huckabee will outshine him.
I am appalled that the media have given SO much press to Clinton-Obama (to the near exclusion of discussion of the Republican race), as if THEY are the Presidential nominees! There still is not a required number of electoral votes in either the McCain or Huckabee camp to determine a winner for the Republican candidacy — which suggests to me that the jury is still out. The voters still have a voice!
Just because we have the potential for a woman or a black (who, by the eway, also happens to be half-white) as the Democratic nominee, do the TV stations figure THAT is the NEWS?
Perhaps the TV stations think if we HEAR the names Clinton-Obama OFTEN enough, we will be so brainwashed that we will vote for one of them. Do we have a media who WANTS a Democrat in the White House. I suspect so.
I think McCain is avoiding this debate, because clearly the man is not a very good public speaker. Also, he has scared so many people into voting for him with the word “Terrorist,” yes, that is a big issue but what about illegal immigration, and the economy. The McCain campaign I believe has made several backroom deals to try and get him elected. For example, South Carolina and Fred Thompson, Thompson knew he had np chance of winning and stayed in the race and took those votes away from Huckabee. Then Florida and Governor Charlie, on the eve of the primary he comes out and backs McCain, I believe a state that Romney would have won. Then Arnold “I HAVE TROUBLE SPEAKING CLEAR ENGLISH,” endorses McCain. Huckabee won the popular vote in Louisiana and they have basically now given all their delegates to McCain. If McCain does not debate Mike, I believe he will lose alot of votes in the general election if and I said IF he gets the nomination. A Republican candidate has to carry the southern states, something John McCain cannot do and I don’t count Florida as a southern state. Yes, he won South Carolina but not fair. HERE IS A PREDICTION: IF MCCAIN GETS THE NOMINATION THE TICKET WILL LOOK LIKE THIS MCCAIN AND GOVERNOR CHARLIE OF FLORIDA, IS ANYONE SURPRISED. IF HE WINS THE GENERAL ELECTION FRED THOMPSON, WILL HAVE A PLACE ON HIS STAFF, JUST WAIT AND SEE, BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE HE CAN BEAT OBAMA, BECAUSE OBAMA WILL WIN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, TEXAS, FLORIDA, AND PROBABLY SOME OTHER KEY SOUTHERN STATES, BECAUSE MCCAIN DOES NOT APPEAL TO THE TRULY CONSERVATIVE BASE. I AM SO SICK OF THE MEDIA BIAS WHY NOT SHOW SOME OF HUCKABEE’S RALLIES, LIKE IN WACO, TEXAS TODAY IT WAS PACKED WITH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. SO MUCH FOR THE STRAIGHT TALK EXPRESS…..WHAT A LOAD OF GARBAGE!!!
John McCain
Your spokesperson on the phone said you were considering the debate but your schedule was very busy.
Errogance!! show us your worth !! We need to know if you are worth our vote. I can’t believe we even have to ask you to debate. this is rediculous !! The amount of postings on this site should speak volumes to you. We should not even have to!!!
Starting to wonder about you.
DEBATE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What I see when I look at our field of Presidential Candidates in light of current world events and leaders.
On the Democrat side of the isle I see two very different Candidates with very similar views for our country.
One is Senator Clinton.
In Senator Clinton’s campaign I see nothing but strife, contention, in-fighting and a struggle to get a consensus to make a decision. How can we rely on a leader who can’t even keep unity in her own ranks?
The other is Senator Obama.
In Senator Obama’s campaign I see a sensational speaker who rides the tide of emotionalism. When times were not favorable we see his campaign withdrawn, subdued and searching for presence of mind. We know the demands of the Presidency are far greater than any campaign. There will be many times where unpopular decisions need to be made under challenging circumstances and we need a leader who can handle the stress with the presence of mind to make those decisions. We need more than emotions. We need substance.
On the Republican side of the isle I see two very different Candidates with very different views for our country.
The first is John McCain.
In Senator McCain I see a great hero who struggles to maintain his composure. I see a Candidate who has shown time and again how he loses his presence of mind and temper over little things that are out of his control. I see a Candidate who could lead us to premature preemptive action when delicate diplomacy is required. I see a Candidate who will make a tense situation worse. I see a Candidate who needs a staff to manage him. How can we have a President who struggles to handle the little things and think he will somehow be different facing Vladmir Putin or Ahmadenajad?
Last but not Least is Mike Huckabee.
In Gov. Huckabee I see man who has faced the ridicule, scorn and contempt of the Republican establishment, the Media and fellow religious leaders and remained unflappable. I see a man who did not cower, wilt or fade in spite of overwhelming odds. In Mike Huckabee I see a man who keeps his presence of mind in all situations. In Mike Huckabee I see a man who brings levity to tense and challenging situations. In Mike Huckabee I see hope. In Mike Huckabee I see a future with sealed borders! In Mike Huckabee I see a future with the largest military power in the world! In Mike Huckabee I see a future with Fair trade! In Mike Huckabee I see a future with the Fair Tax!
In Mike Huckabee I see a President with a vision for our Country!
In Mike Huckabee I see a President who will stand strong with conviction for our Principles! That’s What I See.