[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/03/03/art.texas.huckabee.gi.jpg caption=" Mike Huckabee speaks to supporters at the Fort Worth Stockyards February 29, 2008 in Fort Worth, Texas."]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
There is a poll out that raises serious questions about whether Republicans really like Mike Huckabee or whether they really don't like John McCain.
It's a USA Today/Gallup poll that says 49% of Republicans surveyed think Mike Huckabee should stay in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. This can't be very comforting for John McCain who is the presumed nominee, almost half of Republicans don't want Huckabee to go. Only 46% say Huckabee should drop out. If McCain's popularity was what it should be, that number would be much higher. An even larger margin of Conservative Republicans, 54% to 42%, want Huckabee to stay in this thing.
This has to be tough on John McCain's ego, not to mention his possible chances to win the White House. Ahead of the Texas primary tomorrow, The Dallas Morning News has endorsed Mike Huckabee even though the newspaper admits he has no chance of winning. The Dallas paper says a vote for Huckabee would be "a good investment in the Republican Party's future", adding he's been "on the right side of campaign finance reform and environmental issues."
As for McCain, the editorial board says his age and "choleric temperament gave us pause particularly when contrasted to Mr. Huckabee's sunny-side-up brand of conservatism."
Here’s my question to you: What message does it send to John McCain when nearly half of Republicans want Mike Huckabee to stay in the race?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Dale writes:
What it says to Senator McCain is that conservative Christian Republicans are not as dumb as he would like to think we are. We know that in spite of his claim to be a conservative Republican, his record proves otherwise. We want Mike Huckabee to stay in the race because he is the one candidate who truly represents us and our values.
Lynn writes:
It should tell John McCain that the “Stepford Conservatives” are upset that anyone would dare to refuse to fall totally into their mold. Heaven forbid a Republican would dare to work with Democrats with the best interest of America in mind. America is very lucky to have someone like John McCain running for the highest office in the land.
Charles from Lansing, Michigan writes:
Republicans realize that not only is he weak on the economy but McCain's blind following of the Bush Iraq policy allows the president of Iran to march triumphantly down the streets of Baghdad while Bush sneaks in and out at night is a recipe for disaster. Their only hope is to take it to the Republican convention and get someone else nominated.
James writes:
It means he should get the whip out. In any wolf pack, there is only room for one top dog. It's up to the top dog to take care of his rivals who also want to be top dog. If the top dog can't do that, then he has a leadership problem.
Corrine writes:
I think the message is even Republicans are thinking twice about a 72-year-old as president. Hasn't anyone out there ever called your dad or grandpa at say, 3am, with an emergency and spent 5 minutes trying to get him to understand who you are? Come on people, is that really who you want in the White House?
Fred from Houston writes:
Jack, Voting for Huckabee is like taking cough syrup: it's to keep us from getting something much worse.