Huckabee's Actually Done Some Math of His Own

By: Joy Lin
Topics: Mike Huckabee

(CBS)

From CBS News' Joy Lin:

LYNCHBURG, VA. -- It may be miracles he's espousing, but Mike Huckabee's done a little math of his own. Even if he might not be able to attain 1,191 votes necessary to win, he's banking on the possibility John McCain can't either.

"If John McCain doesn't get 1,191 delegates, this goes to the convention, all bets are off," Huckabee told reporters. "And after the first ballot anybody can end up being the nominee."

So what if Karl Rove went on CBS' Face the Nation saying it's implausible that Huckabee will get the numbers necessary to win the nomination. Huckabee's response: "Karl Rove has also maxed out personal contributions to John McCain … The fact the opposing team has their cheerleaders and band blowing songs against me hardly motivates me to quit. It only motivates me to play harder."

For Huckabee, the game is not over.

"I'm really not very persuaded by the party officials and the party establishment who come out now and are saying 'Oh, well John McCain has 700 delegates, we oughta just quit,'" said Huckabee.

"When they wrote the rules, it said you had to have 1,191. So why did they write the rules for that game of play and now want to change the rules, that's crazy. And so, you know, I'm playing by the rules that were written for me and I'm not trying to make them and I'm not trying to break them, so we'll continue doing it."

Referencing Hillary Clinton's tearful moments in recent months, Huckabee said, "If I cried and whined every time someone ignored me in this, I'd quit a year ago. But you have to realize that in every stage of this, there's yet to be a time when the pundits said, Huckabee's the guy to pull this off…I'm enjoying it if no other reason than to just intimidate the daylights out of all the other people who feel like they have it figured out."

Following what he called an "overwhelming" win in Kansas and "shocking" victory in Louisiana, Huckabee said he felt "confident" going into Virginia.

"When [your opponents] really don't think you have a chance, they ignore you. When they say bad things about you, they fear you. So the fact that I'm being asked to leave and all these things are being said, it's an extraordinary honor. I don't necessarily enjoy it, but I sure appreciate it."

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by smflax February 11, 2008 8:39 PM EST: How can Huckabee say he is ''ALWAYS on the side of life''? I guess he''s not counting the 16 executions he signed off on during his tenure as Governor.(the most by any Gov. in the state''s past)
Some may argue that that was the law he had sworn to uphold, yet if that''s the case and he has no argument when it''s ''THE LAW'', then he should respect the right of choice - because it''s THE LAW.; Reply to this comment


by navyqueen February 11, 2008 5:31 PM EST: Mike Huckabee is a the only authentic conservative in the race for President of the United States of America. The media and the so-called experts have dismissed him time and time again. He coninues to surprise people. I find it outrageous and offensive that we are being told who the GOP nominee will be. Every state deserves to have an opportunity to vote! We still are in the U.S.A. right? If you are still undecided www.mikehuckabee.com is very informative. I have a blog of my own (pe4mh@blogspot.com).; Reply to this comment


by manlymoss February 11, 2008 4:29 PM EST: The Sham Hannity''s and Boss Tweeds(Rush)of this world eat at Ruth Chris steak house and plan how they can maintain the status quo.They better fill up cause their days are numbered! "We the People" are sittin at our kitchen tables plannin how to take back this country for the common folk.Fat cat politicians, the RNC elites and the radio and TV propaganda Hacks and Schills will soon have a cold dose of reality when Mike Huckabee assumes leadership of this great nation.He is the only man who can provide the "common sense" leadership this country so desperately needs! The days of "business as usual" will fade as the transparency of honesty, truth, justice and freedom will lead us into a new era of prosperity and righteousness! I Like Mike!!!; Reply to this comment


by memekiller February 11, 2008 2:40 PM EST: Apologies -- you have written about this before! Folks, read Lin''s previous post: http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/02/10/politics/fromtheroad/entry3813882.shtml

This is amazing.; Reply to this comment


by memekiller February 11, 2008 2:36 PM EST: You know where media conspiracies come from? They come from the fact that a one-inch dimple peeking over Hillary''s V-neck gets more media attention than the fact that Washington stopped counting the votes when it became clear Huckabee won Washington. You''d think that would set off some investigative journalists radar somewhere. At the very least, voters who think McCain will clean up some of the corruption in his own party might want to know what the champion of campaign finance reform thinks of this being done in his name.

Sure, CBS didn''t do the cleavage story, but they''ve done falling flagpoles, choking on water, shrieks and complained about the food Romney fed them. It says something that clear electioneering doesn''t get reporters "salivating", as this blog put it, as much as getting ahold of Hillary documents she''s not required to release because of an order Bush enacted to prevent from releasing his for years without complaint (and still hasn''t, btw).

Huckabee supporters might conclude it''s anti-Christian. Libs that you''re in bed with the GOP. It smells either way.; Reply to this comment


by txtrans07 February 11, 2008 2:28 PM EST: Go Huckabee! He understands the true premise of winning---actually being there and persevering. We''re constantly being taught to try, try again and yet when there''s the least little obstactle politicians want to bail. Huckabee is showing himself to be a real person---not a POLITICIAN! That''s his appeal. He''s really one of us.; Reply to this comment


by davide73-2009 February 11, 2008 2:03 PM EST: The Limbaughs and the Hannitys use the words "true conservative" when what they mean is the protection of policies that make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Capitalism is great when it is tempered with conscience. Without it, it leads to civil disorder. Mike Huckabee understands all that. The low IQ ranters called media pundits do not.; Reply to this comment


by notamugwump February 11, 2008 11:25 AM EST: Mike Huckabee is the only remaining candidate who is not a current member of congress. Why would we want to elect someone from the legislative body of our government that has a very low approval rating? Mike Huckabee has experience and success running a government. We need to wake up and get behind this man of vision and leadership.; Reply to this comment


by notamugwump February 11, 2008 11:24 AM EST: Mike Huckabee is the only remaining candidate who is not a current member of congress. Why would we want to elect someone from the legislative body of our government that has a very low approval rating? Mike Huckabee has experience and success running a government. We need to wake up and get behind this man of vision and leadership.; Reply to this comment


by sure_winner February 11, 2008 5:30 AM EST: How would like that every drug deal or illegal activity in the United States to be taxed! All Illegal%u2019s will pay taxes day one! All foreigners who spend money in United States will pay for our Medicare, social security, medical benefits, and to support our defense instead of taxing our income. An influx of companies will return home base to United States and when you pick up a product from Wal-Mart it will again say made in USA.
"In god we trust" won%u2019t be changed to "America goes to the dust". Mike Huckabee won%u2019t let Iran send a nuke through your bedroom window in the next five years like the liberal pacifists. You couldn%u2019t ignore the Nazi%u2019s and you can not ignore Islamic fascism intent on destroying our lives. Grow up people die in this world and people are gathering in dark places that don%u2019t want you to breath. Vote for a Pastor that carries a big stick that%u2019s Mike Huckabee!; Reply to this comment