Huckabee Gets Dobson's Backing
Focus on the Family founder James Dobson endorsed Mike Huckabee late Thursday night, repeating an earlier statement that he "could not vote for Sen. John McCain."
"The decision by Gov. Mitt Romney to put his campaign 'on hold' changes the political landscape," Dobson said in a written statement.
"His [Huckabee's] unwavering positions on the social issues, notably the institution of marriage, the importance of faith and the sanctity of human life, resonate deeply with me and with many others."
On McCain, Dobson added, "His record on the institution of the family and other conservative issues makes his candidacy a matter of conscience and concern for me."
Meantime, a senior official in the Huckabee campaign told CBS News that the candidate's private events on Thursday in New York involved meetings with donors, who expressed an uptick in enthusiasm following Mitt Romney's withdrawal from the race. While Huckabee's grassroots support consistently generates dinero, his bigger business donors are more fickle. However, but according to this source, the ones in New York seemed to be enthusiastic about Huckabee following his better-than-expected showing on Super Tuesday.
Huckabee adviser Jim Pinkerton dropped off the campaign trail last night to go to Washington, D.C. to prepare for Huckabee's Saturday speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference. Some analysts have compared the potential impact of the speech to Obama's 2004 debut, one that would set the tone and groundwork for a future presidential run.
Huckabee's ability to survive until the prize state of Texas on March 4 (and this may still just be lip service) depends on a good showing in Kansas on Saturday. He'll spend the day campaigning there today in advance of that state's caucuses.