Huckabee Joins McCain on the Campaign Trail for the First Time
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Republican presidential candidate John McCain and former rival Mike Huckabee teamed up on the campaign trail for the first time on Friday, with Huckabee joking that they were so civil when they were opponents they don’t have to “unsay” any bad things.
McCain said that early in the GOP campaign, the two had a lot of time to get to know each other when they both were dismissed as the longest of long shots. Chatting with reporters on the Straight Talk Express campaign bus, McCain recalled the days when they were relegated to the most distant ends of the podium in the early Republican debates, drawing few questions from the moderators.
“Governor Huckabee and I had lots of time to chat with each other,” McCain laughed. “We became friends on the campaign trail.”
They were joined on the bus by their wives, Cindy McCain and Janet Huckabee.
Huckabee, hugely popular with social conservatives, has been mentioned as a potential running mate for McCain, who needs to shore up his support among conservative Republicans.
McCain responded to that speculation by offering what he called his “standard answer,” saying that he didn’t want to mention any names because that quickly leads to an invasion of privacy for anyone being considered.
But McCain was quick to volunteer that “millions of Republican voters voted for Governor Huckabee” in the primaries, and that he wanted the former Arkansas governor to play a prominent role in his campaign. McCain noted Huckabee still has a 65 percent approval rating in Arkansas.
When reporters asked Huckabee if he planned to campaign for McCain, it was McCain who jumped in to answer with a ready “yes.”
Huckabee, for his part, deflected a question about becoming McCain’s running mate by saying, “The main thing is getting Senator McCain elected.”
He said it would be easy for him to promote McCain’s cause, saying, “I don’t have to go around and unsay anything I said in the campaign. We ran a very civil campaign.”
Huckabee’s low-budget, upstart candidacy was one of the big surprises of the GOP primaries. He won eight states, including the Iowa caucuses, and was the last GOP rival standing before McCain claimed the prize.
Asked whether he could help McCain build support among wary conservatives, Huckabee predicted the party would rally around McCain because the stakes are so high. As for some grumbling among conservative leaders about McCain, Huckabee said, “I don’t see that in the rank and file.”
What most Republican voters are worried about, Huckabee said, is “Hillary R. Obama.”
The two later attended a closed fund-raiser. McCain was wrapping up his five-day “Time for Action” tour in Little Rock with a visit to a men’s leadership class at Arkansas Baptist College, a traditionally black private college. He billed the tour as a journey to places that have been ignored in the changing economy. They are also places GOP presidential candidates have effectively ceded to the Democrats.
But with the Republican nomination long settled, and Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton still competing against one another for the Democratic nomination, McCain is reaching out in hopes of claiming some Democratic and independent voters.
A McCain - Huckabee ticket will be the only way I vote Republican!
I like Huckabee and a ticket with he and McCain would be an interesting thought. That’s coming from an independent/Democrat who’s currently supporting Hillary but very concerned about Obama becoming the Dem nominee in which case I’d love to cast a vote for McCain and anyone. Huckabee would make me feel that much better.
Huckabee could be a real asset to McCain. I, personally, would love to see Huckabee as president but a running mate would be good too. We need a hight standard of values that are missing. Do we want a knock down drag out ugly fight among ourselves or do we simply want someone to do the job?
It’s is good to see McCain’s campaign building up so much momentum now. He has the right idea with his strategy. Think about it: McCain has clinched the nomination, Romney and Huckabee have both decided to back and support McCain so he really has a majority of Republican’s on his side. He no longer has to strain to gain the righty-tighty conservative support. Now, as the two remaining Dem’s duke it out over a couple of states and some Super Delegates, McCain can strategically sweep in and get a good sized group of independent voters and democrats on his side. And he has 3 months to do it! What a great summer this will be for McCain!
McCain, while not as historically conservative as Huckabee, or as economically forthcoming as Romney, is a the best man for the job. For too long has our country’s politics hinged on the fates of a divided house and senate. I believe McCain can bring in some semblance of unity and compromise, with wisdom. It is this type of civil and smart politics that created our constitution and united a divided nation. We are strongest when we are unified. Go McCain!
Is Huckabee trying out as the opening act or what? Surely he’s not being considered as a running mate………….. Please!
Great article! Huckabee will be an asset to McCain on the campaign trail, and hopefully, will be chosen his running mate.
That would be a good ticket!
Everyday I am more convinced that voting for him was a grat chioce. Ijust can’t wait to vote for him again.
Huckabee for V.P. I’m a moderate democrat that’s voting for John McCain and Huckabee would be be a wonderful asset for him. He’s a 12 year Governor and was head of the Baptist Convention. A great counter punch from the South Land.
This is good news. I love Huck and hope he is chosen as McCain’s running mate.
Im not sure that Governor Huckabee will have the necessary experience in areas where McCain might need help, such as the Economy. He would however bring Evangelicals and rank and file conservatives at least to the water, even if he cant make them drink. Lots of different ways to look at this. Perhaps a woman or a person of color such as Condoleeza Rice who has many wonderful attributes would be better, if she would consider it. Too bad she doesnt seem interested!!
We want Romney! Huckabee is pro-OBama!!
We want Romney!
McCain/Huckabee, I might have to vote for McCain.
Mccain/Huckabee ticket? I kinda like the sound of that. Although, I prefer a Huckabee/Mccain ticket better. Oh well. Huckabee would be a great vice president and it would definitely give him good positioning for 2012. Go Huck!
Duncan Hunter would be the very best choice for VP. He can bring it all to the McCAIN table.,
especially foreign policy and immigration, Together they would be a great team.
My first choice during this primary was Huckabee. I couldn’t understand why the mega churches were not supporting him. I guess because he didn’t have the money like Bush did?? So now, I am an Obama supporter……
Gov. Huckabee has more experience in the executive branch of gov’t than any other GOP candidate. He was a highly successful governor of Arkansas for over 10 years, and lt. gov for two yrs before that. Huckabee “gets it” when it comes to the economy and being a fiscal conservative– he LOWERED taxes across the board, balanced the budget, turned his state’s deficit into a surplus, fixed the terrible highways, and greatly improved health care for children in his state. Huckabee can reach across the aisle in politics and work amiably with Dems to get things done. He is reliably, consistently, and sincerely pro-life and pro-marriage. [b]On the campaign trail, Huckabee would be a GREAT asset to McCain[/b] — he is articulate, funny, winsome, and has a way with both words AND people. Anyone who hears him speak is won over. He also brings with him a huge following of highly dedicated and extremely hard-working volunteers who would put “boots on the ground” to campaign hard for a McCain-Huckabee ticket!
Poly-ticker,
Thank you so much for your comments. You hit the nail on the head!
All of my Friends and Family will join with me in voting Rep. If Sen. McCain chooses Huck as his VP!
Go Johnny Go!
God Bless America!
Huckabee is the PERFECT running mate for McCain. He’s a straight talker, totally honest, and an excellent statesman. He has successfully run a state government, he has extensive knowledge of economics, and he’s the perfect balance to McCain. I’LL STAND BEHIND THESE TWO MEN 100%! It would truly be a dream ticket for me and the perfect team for the White House!
Huckabee as VP will be the only way I will vote for McCain in November. I am a lifelong Republican. The Republican party needs to quit nominating liberals. Huckabee in 2012!!!!! Let’s get the GOP back to conservatism.
What a constrast, McCain and Huckabee vs. Obama and Hillary.
McCain has my vote and it will be wonderful to see Mike Huckabee serve in whatever capacity to help the GOP win especially if McCain would adopt the Fair Tax plan that Mike’s camp gained so much attention over (to their credit). We need to end class warfare and take away the very cash cow that Congress uses to fund these earmarks and pork barrel projects not to mention many of the entitlement programs that are completely mismanaged.
I say we take both Mitt and Huckabee and assign them to cabinet positions that tackle the core of what’s ailing America’s economy. Give Mitt the job of tackling economic reforms for rebuilding our manufacturing sector cross-industries. His report card would be based on improvements in these areas and he should be measured on Export vs. import as well as employment levels broken down by employment sector.
Huckabee should be given both tax reform and campaign finance reform designed to simplify our tax code and the adoption of an across the board consumption tax, elimination of corporate taxes (which will help Mitt in his reforms), incentives for alternative energy development, and the re-balancing of subsidies based on foreign market free trade practices (increased incentives where foreign markets aren’t playing fair and reducing/eliminating subsidies where markets are trading fairly. Tariffs are still needed for rogue countries that fall outside of trading blocks that don’t work together to drive fair trade. As for campaign finance reform, Huckabee should be measured on outright elimination of 529 ads, and the establishment of campaign funding restrictions that set limits on campaign funds allowed and at what level (office being pursued).
McCain has my vote and it will be wonderful to see Mike Huckabee serve in whatever capacity to help the GOP win especially if McCain would adopt the Fair Tax plan that Mike’s camp gained so much attention over (to their credit). We need to end class warfare and take away the very cash cow that Congress uses to fund these earmarks and pork barrel projects not to mention many of the entitlement programs that are completely mismanaged.
I say we take both Mitt and Huckabee and assign them to cabinet positions that tackle the core of what’s ailing America’s economy. Give Mitt the job of tackling economic reforms for rebuilding our manufacturing sector cross-industries. His report card would be based on improvements in these areas and he should be measured on Export vs. import as well as employment levels broken down by employment sector.
Huckabee should be given both tax reform and campaign finance reform designed to simplify our tax code and the adoption of an across the board consumption tax, elimination of corporate taxes (which will help Mitt in his reforms), incentives for alternative energy development, and the re-balancing of subsidies based on foreign market free trade practices (increased incentives where foreign markets aren’t playing fair and reducing/eliminating subsidies where markets are trading fairly. Tariffs are still needed for rogue countries that fall outside of trading blocks that don’t work together to drive fair trade. As for campaign finance reform, Huckabee should be measured on outright elimination of 529 ads, and the establishment of campaign funding restrictions that set limits on campaign funds allowed and at what level (office being pursued).
Huckabee would be a great asset to McCain’s ticket. For those of you who are pushing Romney, look at what he did in Massachusetts. He was Gov. at the same time as Huckabee. Huckabee’s state did awesome econimally compared to Massachusetts. Romney did not govern well. His numbers were terrible in Massachusetts, he would not have been re-elected, Huckabee was chosed as leader of the Governors of the 50 states not Romney. Romney governed like a Democrat, i.e. his “mandated” healthcare plan that supported abortion. The only way McCain will get my vote is adding Huckabee to the ticket otherwise I am writing Mike’s name in.
Glad to see Huckabee and McCain on the campaign trail together ! These men are friends and they will always be friends whether Huckabee is the VP or not. It is nice and refreshing to think about positive things. Who knows, Huckabee just could be that VP. I know that John McCain has a lot of trust in that man. John will not have to be watching his backside with Huckabee. Huckabee is so wise and experienced as well as trustworthy ……. I love a McCain/Huckabee ticket….. bring it on !!
the onlyway many people will vote for mccain is to have gov huckabee, or gov romney on the ticket. it was clear during the rep. debates they gov huckabee and gov romney were sharper, smarter, and more knowledgeable about what the nation wanted than all others including the dems. political candidates need to listen more as to what the people want…then help them the people get it….its that simple! as you know the current pres. does not listen to what the majority of people want and is in trouble with the lowest ratings of any president.
the only way i am voting for mckennedy is if Huck is on the ticket.
Huckabee is the best choice — good experience, common sense, young, and so charming!
I think John McCain’s best choice for VP would be Mike Huckabee. Huckabee is likable, political savvy, a good team player, excellent public speaker and debater, can rally the social conversative troops, and give McCain all of the southern states. It has been said, no man becomes president without winning the south. Also, I believe Huckabee’s youthfulness would balance out McCain’s seniority, and Huckabee’s oratory would be a good match against Obama, should Obama become the nominee. If Hillary Clinton becomes the nominee, I am sure Huckabee knows a lot of hidden skeletons in her closet, having followed the Clintons in Arkansas, that McCain could use to his advantage.
I believe the McCain-Huckabee ticket would be perfect. Our country needs McCain to have a running mate with Huckabee’s experience as governor. John McCain knows that our country has many needs to be resolved including earning back our pride, patriotism and the promise and quest to bring back economic soundness and harmony amongst all americans. Our country should be a united republic.
Huckabee is a great man with the experience, values and positive attributes to help our next President lead and to help inspire our people in such confusing and uncertain times. I will support John McCain but I hope he sees the clarity to select him man as his running mate.
I will vote for McCain if he chooses Mike Huckabee for VP. Mike stands for my kind of Social Conservatism and Economic conservatism…the FAIR TAX!
I see, I see…… How this works on Fox News. I commented many, many hours ago on only the positive and good about Mike Huckabee. I listed no negatives about anyone or anything else. I already know that Mike Huckabee is a thorn in your side. Let me again be positive, if you will let me. Mike Huckabee is such a wonderful and wise man with experience and would be a real asset to a McCain ticket. McCain will not have to be watching his backside with Huckabee. He is a loyal and truthful human being and character does matter. So great to see the two of them on the campaign trail and I look for that to continue as McCain has already said that he wants Mike there. Lets just go ahead with a McCain/Huckabee ticket ! Wow -eee! Hope Fox finds a way to print this. It seems like even they could use an upbeat message now and then.
What a way to end a day? Never one like this before. Mike, I am an old man, but I feel young today. Welcome dear Friend. I shall never forget this day. Welcome aboard! I ain’t no gonna sleep tonight. We love you Mike, and just to hear you are with McCain. Man, you made my day. There was no picture of you two when I downloaded. Get one and place it. I wanna my grandchildren see it.
I find it very funny that people think, for some totally unkown reason, that Governor Huckabee wouldn’t be good on the economy (even though the vice president has absolutely nothing to do with the economy and that would not even be part of his job description). That man ran a mini-government for over a decade, left the state with a huge surplus AND got great things done for the state such as improving schools from 49 to 8 and infrastructure improvement. Plus, he ran the most fiscally successful campaign of ANY candidate, and acutally came out in the black. Others were left millions of dollars in debt when their campaigns ended. So, please educate yourselves before you believe the Club For Growth propaganda that was less than truthful. (this part was proven and was put on the internet!!) Governor Huckabee would take as good of care of the taxpayers money as he did the donations of his supporters. Got the most bang for his buck. But you were right about the conservatives. We absolutely LOVE the guy!!! Oh, and by the way, did you see the chemistry between McCain and Huckabee…..priceless!!!!!!