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February 9, 2008 12:17 PM

Texas Gov. Perry Asks Huckabee to Drop Out

Posted by Joy Lin
(CBS)
From CBS News' Joy Lin:

COLLEGE PARK, MD. -- Gov. Rick Perry. R-Texas, who has endorsed John McCain, called Mike Huckabee on Friday asking him to drop out of the race, according to a senior Huckabee campaign aide. Huckabee declined Perry's request.

Huckabee had asked for Perry's support earlier in the election cycle and Perry had said he would support Huckabee if he thought he could win but decided to support Rudy Giuliani instead. When Giuliani dropped out last month, Perry switched his allegiance to McCain.

Earlier today in Washington, D.C. after delivering a speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference, Huckabee told reporters that staying in the race is good for the Republican Party.

"I'd like to think the Republican Party is mature enough, big enough, and smart enough that it actually knows competition brings excellence. And the lack of competiton brings mediocrity," Huckabee said.

"You know the old proverb is as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. The fact is no boxer is ever prepared to go into the ring if he's never sparred."

"If we're really serious about taking it all the way to November, we better have a candidate who's truly battle-tested. So this nonsense about how I should step aside and have a cakewalk all the way to the election, that's crazy. Unless they were all to step aside and let me have a cakewalk, then that would be a fine thing. But otherwise, I can see no value in that at all."
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by texanna2 February 9, 2008 2:16 PM PST
Perry can kiss my toe. The Texas primary is around the corner & I hope like a Texas heatwave Texan voters give McCain the boot. I guarantee I am doing my part to ensure it. No way, no how, will I vote for McCain. And I promise to grassroot my sentiments far and wide. Republicans better understand one thing... it''s conservative principles, stupid.
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by mrsmarrero February 9, 2008 2:24 PM PST
First Perrry backed Giuliani, who dropped out, and now McCain. He seems to like the more liberal choices. As long a Huckabee is still standing, he has my support. In November, I''ll support whomever the Republicans put on the ballot, but this is the Primary, and I''ll make my voice heard by choosing the man whose convictions most closely match my values, and that man is Huckabee. He has won against the Clinton''s candidates four times in Arkansas, and I believe his debating skills, ability to think on his feet, and his likeable personality can win against whomever the Democrats choose as their candidate. The polls showing otherwise, are largely based on name recognition. Huckabee can engage the voters and win them to his side with his charisma, intelligence, and logic. He can poke holes in the Democrats arguments with style and persuasion. If we republicans and independents will just give Huckabee a chance, he can astound the media in November.
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by bassbub February 9, 2008 2:33 PM PST
Here''s a novel idea: how about everyone stay in the race until someone gets the required number of delegates to win the nomination? Coronations are not really in the true American spirit afterall. ;)
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by johnpmorris February 9, 2008 2:40 PM PST
Outrageous! What will Perry say when Mike Huckabee wins Texas?

"Give Hope Another Chance"
www.mike-huckabee.blogspot.com
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by hypnotoad72 February 9, 2008 2:42 PM PST
Romney''s out. That''s good enough for me. The remaining candidates have points I agree with, and disagree with. Anybody being 100% for a candidate is a parrot drunk on cheap mouthwash.
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by fairandbal February 9, 2008 3:09 PM PST
What is Texas doing again? Huckabee is needed in the race otherwise there''s no choice for strong conservatives. we NEED Huckabee to stay in the race otherwise we''ll stay home with McCain as the GOP nominee??!!
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by jsilver2th February 9, 2008 3:09 PM PST
After producing LBJ and GWB you would think anything that reeked of Texas wouldn''t even get close to Presidential politics.... Rick Perry what a worthless drone... I say let''s restore Texas independence and get rid of the whole place-
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by Ruidu February 9, 2008 3:10 PM PST
Gov. Rick Perry. R-Texas, sold out by endorsing John McCainand calling Mike Huckabee on Friday to drop out of the race. Americans and Huckabee have declined Perry''s request. Go Huckabee! R33

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by apinchofsalt February 9, 2008 3:13 PM PST
Huckabee is better than McCain. Vote Huckabee!
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by ontheleft February 9, 2008 3:14 PM PST
Huckabee is wasting his time and everyone elses. McCain has the nomination wrapped up. The idea that Hucakbee can overtake McCain is ludicrous wishful thinking on the part of his supporters.
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by February 9, 2008 3:15 PM PST
I truly don''t understand the frustration by some posters. I understand that McCain''s the likely nomination and I will support whomever wins the nomination. I do like Huckabee, but I also like McCain. But in order to top McCain in delegates, it would truly take a miracle. Huckabee would have to win all the winner-take-all states (Virginia and Texas) and over 75% of the delegates in other states. He may do well in Kansas, Louisiana, Texas, and maybe Virginia, but he''ll need even more help. I think some of the frustrated opinions expressed on here preventing a yet fully unified party is just a reason why it might be time to consolidate around a single candidate.
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by bdribus February 9, 2008 3:32 PM PST
This is really about freedom... I like Perry, but who is he to tell the rest of the voters in the country that they should have no choice in selecting the nominee? Go Huckabee!
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by michaellitz2 February 9, 2008 3:34 PM PST
Too many of the Republican party establishment have "sold out" their principles and/or the interests of the American people in the name of political expediency. It''s time to send a message to John McCain and to Gov. Perry and to certain other republican Governors and to the Pat Robertsons of the world and to every other republican who has put POWER above PRINCIPLE AND CAREER above RIGHT POSITIONS. The message? - Game Over! - Times up! Step Aside! The time has come for PRINCIPLE to rule again in the Republican party!!!!!!!!!
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by j-whitman February 9, 2008 3:46 PM PST
bdribus,,,, Who is Perry ?? -- In reality, just another Bush
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by j-whitman February 9, 2008 3:47 PM PST
bdribus,,, I like Huckabee even if he isn''t my canidate --- Maybe you should start yelling at Bush for not supporting him
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by Steeljoe99 February 9, 2008 3:48 PM PST
The only reason Huckabee is still in this is so he can try and garner enough delegates to have more than Mitt Romney. He know''s he has no chance of winning and has such hatred for Romney that all he can think about is getting more than him.
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by j-whitman February 9, 2008 3:55 PM PST
scottje3,, Huckabee just won Kansas by a landslide
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by petesis February 9, 2008 4:00 PM PST
Huckabee is helping McCain by staying in. That keeps the democrats from focusing too much on McCain which they may do anyway. Once Huckabee quits it is open season on McCain for both Dem candidates.
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by aredrobin February 9, 2008 4:06 PM PST
The comment by Michael Litz@ @3:49 p.m. says it best! P.S. (The Texas Governor should raise his standards and integrity). Go Mike Huckabee! This governor obviously makes his decision by who the media it touting. The Texas governonr needs a backbone instead of going with the "answer" given to him by the media.

A Red Robin
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by j-whitman February 9, 2008 4:06 PM PST
Petesis,, You may be right --- I think it should be Open Season on McCain & no hunter needs a deer stamp.
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by tyahlstrom February 9, 2008 4:35 PM PST
I''''ve become really disappointed in Gov. Huckabee. He turned out to be a pretty big poor sport when he started to lose to Gov. Romney. When Mr. Romney attacked him on his profesional credentials he fought back with personal attacks about his bussiness ethics and even stooping to spout out some anti-Mormon half-truths. As well, after Mr. Romney realized that his chances of winning were narrow he graciously bowed out, not wanting to jepordize the GOP''s chance of winning. Huckabee still wants to drag it out even when winning looks impossible. Is this just for his personal glory?
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by edjamgra February 9, 2008 4:38 PM PST
Huckabee should stay in the race. Perry is an arrogant unstable politician who has already switch his support three times.

He is not grounded in convictions of his own. He just supports whoever is being pushed by the talking airheads on TV.

Huckabee is the only republican who can hold the red states together if McCain should win he will need Huckabee as his VP to win in November.
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by rushlimpdrug February 9, 2008 4:48 PM PST

Wow.
A gay governer determining the fate of the nation.

Skrew voting, let him decide who shall run and who shall not.
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by julian1413 February 9, 2008 5:08 PM PST
I like MIKE!
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by gwanda110 February 9, 2008 5:14 PM PST
I think Huckabee should stay in the race, Because if Hillary win democratic race, he or John will get my vote, I am going republican.
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by hosers22 February 9, 2008 5:16 PM PST
The Hick from Arkansas must be ashamed of his family. Has anyone seen any of them on the campaign trail. Or is Huckablob just hiding the fact that no one in the family can control their appetite.

Everyone questioned why Romney%u2019s boys didn''t join the armed services. We all know why the Hickablobs will be deemed 4-F in any draft. Obesity has its privileges, I suppose.

On another note, I can%u2019t wait for when he becomes President and the first family has the Ambassador from Ethiopia over for dinner. That will be an awkward moment.

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by tonic1661 February 9, 2008 5:35 PM PST
John mc Cain is damaged goods.
He was a prisoner of war in one of the most brutal of prison camps. I am sorry for that, but he must have psychological scars. The word "enemy" is probably a trigger point.

No wonder he loves the Bush strategy and thinks we could be in Iraq for 100 years...he envisions a resolution? No.
Reply to this comment
by wjneill February 9, 2008 5:58 PM PST
Tonic1661 sez "He was a prisoner of war in one of the most brutal of prison camps. I am sorry for that, but he must have psychological scars. The word "enemy" is probably a trigger point."

Accordingly, I can therefore readily draw the conclusion that Tonic1661 is a combat veteran and has experienced such trauma and is readily conversant with the symptoms. Or, failing that, Tonic1661 is a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist and therefore professionally capable of drawing such a conclusion.

Of course, there is a third possibility. Tonic1661 is a self-professed "conservative" who is beginning to have quasi-lucid contact with reality and is more than a little fearful of what he/she/it is seeing and hearing. There is certainly hope for Tonic1661 and as a combat veteran of RVN (1967-1968), I will prescribe 15 months of rest and recreation in Fallujah with ten days leave in the Triangle of Death.

Otherwise, Tonic1661 oughta just slither back down to the river bank and crawl back under the rock he/she/it calls home.

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by facts6 February 9, 2008 6:45 PM PST
"" I say let''''s restore Texas independence and get rid of the whole place-jsilver2th"""

please
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by nmsuip February 9, 2008 6:46 PM PST
Go Huck! Choice is good. The more this gets drawn out the better.
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by facts6 February 9, 2008 6:48 PM PST
do you think they have left H in to create the illusion we have a choice?
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by tonic1661 February 9, 2008 6:54 PM PST
tonic 1661 is a psychiatrist with the veterans administration.
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by vortecmax February 9, 2008 6:56 PM PST
It''s almost as bad as four years ago. This time the flip flopper is McCain, the "family" is Clinton, and the cub in the lion''s den is Obama. Last tima around I voted for Jesus Christ with my wife as His running mate. This time, I just don''t know.
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by vortecmax February 9, 2008 7:01 PM PST
tonic 1661 is a psychiatrist with the veterans administration

I believe you tonic1661. No, really.
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by fairandbal February 9, 2008 7:44 PM PST
This article is of course about the party of Rush, Rove and the religious right. In the party of Rush, no one is allowed to think for themselves or challenge the higher authority of the party (see our current dictator in chief in the white house).
So, Huckabee, you MUST now bow to the commanders of your party and genuflect to the new ruler to be, John McCain!!!
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by byeneocons February 9, 2008 8:37 PM PST
Stay in the race Huckabee! It''s like watching the deluded people audition on American Idol. We love watching a train wreck, especially when it is one big neocon disaster. Bye Rush!
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by l2256 February 9, 2008 9:02 PM PST
Mike,
Stay in this race and please don''t drop out. You are the true republican''s only hope now. If you drop out we are stuck with Hillary, Obama, and Hillary''s best friend John. We need you and you have a huge advantage over John McCain. You are a "True Republican with true Republican values." You WILL win this race. When it comes right down to it, republicans''s will choose you.
Hang in there for us.
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by Larry Mace February 9, 2008 9:36 PM PST
Conservatives should examine the results of the Republican primaries. In closed primaries, McCain won about 440 delegates to Huckabee''s approximately 77. Seems like the REAL Republicans are we moderates.
Reply to this comment
by retiree96 February 9, 2008 9:44 PM PST
Mike, you will have my vote.. Please stay in this race.. Let the God we serve decide who will win.. and only then accept defeat.. if it comes to that.. but don''t give it to any of them.. Fight until the last vote is counted..
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by February 9, 2008 9:57 PM PST
It is a CHOICE, not an ECHO. This has been a clarion call to conservatives to vote and campaign according to their core convictions. Now that we have one of two top-tier candidate with conservative core convictions and the other who has moderate convictions, the choice is clear: Huckabee if you are a conservative and McCain if you wish to blur the distinctions between Democrat and Republican.

I choose the conservative path -- BUT, I am not a "suicide voter" -- If Huckabee does not succeed, I will stand behind our standard bearer... or stay home. If McCain does get the nomination, then he will have choices to make if he wants to hear the echoes of conservatives united in their principles.
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by skicolorado2-2009 February 9, 2008 9:58 PM PST
I have been a Romney supporter since Iowa. I am not a Huckabee fan. But I am NOT a fan of Rick Perry. So if Rick Perry doesn''t like Huckabee, I guess that means I do. You know, Romney still has 260 Delegates and Romney can decide this in favor of Huckabee at convention if he decides to do so.
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by skicolorado2-2009 February 9, 2008 10:13 PM PST
Huckabee as President and Romney as Vice President, There is a possibility they could win the General Election. It appears McCain is too damaged goods at this point in time. Romney could possibly carry Mass and possibly upset the Democrats in Michigan. Huckabee and Romney together could finally galvanize the South that Bush won. I don''t know if either candidate is humble enough, but it would be better than McCain. Right now, if Huckabee takes Washington, Kansas and Louisiana, he is back in this race and Romney holds 260 delegates that could strip McCain of the nomination at the Convention. How do you like those apples in a strange election?
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by skicolorado2-2009 February 9, 2008 10:18 PM PST
If Huckabee does well tongiht as it looks like he will. This election might be back on. I have always said, how goes Louisiana so will go Texas. I am 100% behind Romney but I could warm up to Huckster. Obama has to be stopped. He is bad for this country. Huck can stop him in the South. Romney could stop him in Michigan and Florida. This race is in the process of changing. It was good I think that Romney suspended. It was a noble thing to do to break the deadlock.
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by blackpearlsx February 9, 2008 10:29 PM PST
I''m a Democrat, but I love Mike Huckabee. Why doesn''t the Gov ask Ron Paul to quit, leave Mike ALONE!
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by skicolorado2-2009 February 9, 2008 10:43 PM PST
Ron Paul is already going to scale back to run for Congress in Texas. I am going to start promoting Huckabee in Texas and across the board. I don''t like Huckabee but he claims to be a Republican and his record is not that conservative, but he appeals to a lot of people we can strip out of the hands of the democrats. We have to give and take somewhere.
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by skicolorado2-2009 February 9, 2008 10:45 PM PST
It is beginnning to look like Huckabeee will win the delegates of Lousiana but because he might be a couple of points shy of 50% the delegates will actually go to the convention uncommitted just like the 260 that Romney owns. It will be a borkered convention. McCain does not have this wrapped up.
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by vortecmax February 9, 2008 10:50 PM PST
Aren''t we all speculating a lot on who is going to finish in second anyway?
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by skicolorado2-2009 February 9, 2008 10:51 PM PST
Right now Obamar is giving a speech against McCain as if McCain has won this. Goes to show that the democrats are clueless.
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by fairandbal February 9, 2008 10:54 PM PST
Come on Republicans! Perry is correct. The reincarnation of Reagan has been anointed and that''s John McCain. Now get in line, don''t think for yourselves and give your total support to the anointed one!
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by skicolorado2-2009 February 9, 2008 10:55 PM PST
It is speculation, however, the numbers of remaining delegates are getting fewer. Texas is a big decider for the first time. For Huckabee to win without any outside assistance he would have to win 85% of the remaining delegates. It is possible, but when you throw in the fact that Louisianas delegates are actually going to be uncommitted (unless Huckabee pulls off 50%) these things muddle things further. It is possible for Huckabee to sweep all remaining states if momentum now swings. It is going to be a serious wake up call. McCain is going to re-enter furiously. But he is damaged goods. I wish McCain had never run.
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