Cafferty File

Huckabee helping or hurting the GOP?

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FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:

John McCain could seal the deal today when it comes to the Republican nomination... but that doesn't seem to be slowing down his rival, Mike Huckabee.

The former Arkansas governor has staked his future in this race on Texas. Despite polls that show McCain leading in all 4 states voting today, Huckabee has been spending a lot of money and time campaigning in Texas. He insists, "Texans are a stubbornly independent people. You don't tell 'em what they're going to do."

Huckabee has often questioned whether McCain can energize the base of the party, and yesterday he warned that that would be one of McCain's toughest tasks if he becomes the Republicans' nominee.

Although he remains hopeful about his chances in Texas, Huckabee says tomorrow will be the day to sit down and see where he goes from here.

Meanwhile, McCain is acting like he is already the party's nominee. He says he respects the right of Huckabee to stay in the race as long as he wants to. But, McCain is spending his time going after his Democratic rivals and focusing on things like foreign policy.

Here’s my question to you: By staying in the race, is Mike Huckabee part of the problem or part of the solution for Republicans?

Interested to know which ones made it on air?


Daisy writes:

Huckabee should be able to stay in as long as he wants to. He can't hurt an already-demolished Republican party. He won't win, but at least there is a pleasant buffer to the "same old, same old", fear mongering, out-of-touch elitist Republican Party. They are so out of touch with the middle class and the reality of what's going on in Iraq and in America that I don't think anything can stop the Democrats from a land-slide in November.

Steve from West Milford, New Jersey writes:
Huckabee, overall, is going to help the GOP. He's gaining a lot of popularity as a person and a comedian, more so than as a candidate. When he eventually throws his weight behind McCain, that popularity goes with him.

Doris from California writes:
Huckabee is hurting McCain by trying to take votes away from him. He should be a gentleman, like Romney, and support McCain. Huckabee will forever be known as the man that wouldn't go away. I hope he isn't planning on running again.

Lynn writes:
Neither. At this point, he's just another politician spending money (that's been taken out of someone else's pocket) on a meaningless cause. He may not be from Washington, but he's already got the spending habits down pat.

Tonya from Rocky Mountain, North Carolina writes:
It ain’t over ‘til it's over. Besides the only way I'd vote for McCain is if he were running to be president of AARP.

Alex writes:
Mike Huckabee is a joke. His staying in the race is just as effective as a solar powered flashlight. Huckabee can do whatever he wants, but it’s clear his campaign shows no sign of any real consequence to the Republican Party or anyone for that matter.

Jerry from Roselle, Illinois writes:
Jack, As long as Mike Huckabee can pronounce the word "nuclear", he's my guy.