The Republican presidential candidate pulled out from the race tonight.
Mike Huckabee withdrew from the race tonight after Sen. John McCain clinched key victories today.
"It's now important that we turn our attention not to what could have been or what we wanted to have been but what now must be, and that is a united party," Huckabee said in his concession speech.
The former Baptist pastor drew attention after his win in Iowa and surprised some with his success on Super Tuesday. He said tonight that he only had a staff of about 30 people. “No one has ever gotten this far with such limited resources,” he told a Texas rally. However, Huckabee never drew the same kind of evangelical support as President Bush, who took 78 percent of the evangelical vote in 2004.
Huckabee appealed some evangelicals who were dissatisfied with McCain. However, Brett O’Donnell, a spokesman for McCain’s campaign, told CT earlier that evangelicals will likely support the senator once he wins the nomination.
The most recent Christianity Today online poll that opened yesterday show 31 percent of CT readers supporting Huckabee, with McCain and Sen. Barack Obama tied at 26 percent.
Huckabee's future is uncertain, but he is sometimes mentioned in lists of McCain's possible vice presidents. The Washington Times writes that that Huckabee's inner circle feels he could be the emerging leader who could re-establish the religious right, but his economic policies could also be too divisive.
Posted by Sarah Pulliam on March 4, 2008 8:18PM
Comments
I think the fact that he did get so far with so few resources shows his strong potential for the future, either presidental in 2012, or as a vice president in 2008.
Posted by: Kathryn at March 4, 2008
I would like to see Huckabee become the Vice President. He has the right ideas and is so important to our nation. God bless you Mr. Huckabee.
Posted by: Shirley Hawkes at March 5, 2008
I think Gov. Huckabee supplied a much-needed voice in these primaries. Frankly, although I'm not wild about Senator McCain, I will support him in the general election. I will pray that God will use Gov. Huckabee's witness to persuade Sen. McCain that it's important for him to listen to the voices of folks who believe Jesus Christ is Lord. And perhaps the leadership of the Democrat party will begin to understand that Jesus followers are discerning. I mean that "a tip of the hat" isn't enough. May God bless our nation as we pick our new president. May God direct us as believers to vote His choice. Amen.
Posted by: Eddie Settles at March 5, 2008
Gov. Mike Huckabee would make a valuable contribution to the Republican ticket in November. He entered the primary contest with no name recognition outside the deep southern states and with very limited financial resources so what he accomplished is wonderful.
His presence on the ticket would help shore up the evangelical, value voters for the party in November.
For those who have not yet read the Governor's books: "CHARACTER Makes the Difference" and "From Hope to Higher Ground" should do so.
Hopefully, we will hear much more from Mr. Huckabee in the coming years.
Posted by: Victor at March 5, 2008
I went to DC 35 years ago to encourage Christian Evangelicals to go into politics. Mike Huckabee is the closest we have ever had that could win the presidency. To bad we did not unite behind him after IOWA. However, he ran an honorabel race and stuck to his prinicples. I agree he would help the ticket and bring some youthful energy to the general election campaign. Hopefully we will learn to support each other. Robinson ran for President and asked us to support a Christian, yet he supported a pro-abortion candidate. Gary Bauer ran as a Christian yet he helped stop Mike Huckabee's surge in Virginia. Mike however has my admiration.
Posted by: Rich at March 5, 2008
Out of the candidates I placed most of my faith in his ability to bring America back to "IN GOD WE TRUST". I value my right to vote and find at this time sceptisim in the other candidates ability to bring America back to the foundations it was originally built on. Sorry to see Mr. Huckabee withdraw. Having him in the seat of Vice President is better than nothing at all.
Posted by: tawnia hemmen at March 5, 2008
Hats off to ya Huckabee!
Posted by: Jo Ellen at March 5, 2008
So sad that Huckabee won't be campaigning in the good state of Indiana.
Posted by: Daniel at March 5, 2008
At first I was happy to hear that a Baptis minister is nominated for president.I loved his bold statements and testimony for the Lord.However when I read his one sided statements supporting Israel including his proposals for transfer of Arab Palestinians,I am happy he dropped.
Posted by: botrus Mansour at March 6, 2008
Mike Huckabee is a very respectable man. His actions match his words. He has repeatedly taken a strong stand for the American people, unashamedly defending his faith in Jesus Christ and speaking not just eloquently...but with Godly wisdom. Mike Huckabee believes God Word is the TRUTH, and has remained faithful to the truth when it was not the popular thing to do. He is 100% pro-life. We must leave our questions with God and trust Him to decide when any life should end. I will continue to pray for Mike Huckabee and ask God to bless our country with his good leadership. May God continue to have mercy on our country for the bloodshed of millions of babies, and the complacency of us all. May God hear the prayers of His people, and continue to bless America.
Posted by: Shelli Robison at March 7, 2008
I am dissapointed that Mike Huckabee did not get the support of the American Christian majority!
I beleive this is direct evidence of our complacency as a Christian Nation to allow this great leader to be overlooked.
Though it does not supprise me, it does dissapoint me that so few of us who claim to be Christian (especially the men) are willing to put forth the effort, risk, & take courage to help move this nation turn back to the God that gave us our freedom.
I am very proud of Mike Huckabee, he is that man. This Nation needs more men like him to be leaders.
I would love to see him run as Vice President. He could bring balance, trust, & honor to America.
God Bless You Mike Huckabee.
Posted by: Mark at March 7, 2008
Hey guys ... I used to be a Mike Huckabee supporter but now I'm a Ron Paul suporter ( he's a Republican and he's still in the race ) ... Check him out , he's a great candidate
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/
Posted by: Valeria at March 14, 2008
I am disappointed that Huckabee does not acknowledge Ron Paul as a good Christian man who is still in the race for presidency who has conservative values and is very smart
Posted by: Lisa at March 14, 2008
I don't think America will ever elect a preacher to be president.
Posted by: BobC at March 21, 2008
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