Newsweek: McCain 51%, Huck 32%
By Mr. Ed Posted in 2008 — Comments (5) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
http://www.newsweek.com/id/109495
Yes, this information is relatively meaningless as to its impact on the ultimate GOP nominee.
However, it does demonstrate that McCain still has a lot of work to do. A third of the GOP would rather support a super long shot that voice support for McCain.
When forced to choose between McCain and Huck, Huck's support rises to 37%.
Many here at RedState have argued there isn't a lot of difference between McCain and Huck (though I disagree). If this is true, it makes the bump in support for Huckabee even more interesting.
There are many theories as to why Huck remains in the race. Conventional wisdom suggests he's positing himself for the VP selection.
I disagree. I believe Huck wants to stay in the race long enough to build a significant delegate lead over Romney. This will allo him to more credibly claim a strong second place showing, better positioning himself for 2012.
Besides, it's a long time until the convention. Stranger things have happened to derail candidates. If the leader stumbles, only those still in the race can move into the lead.
Perhaps you should have given the full story.
McCain leads 51-32. When forced to choose between just McCain and Huck, his lead increases to 57-37. He has a lead among conservatives over Huck 49-43.
Also noted in the survey, 75% of Republicans and 69% of conservatives say they would be accept McCain as the nominee.
So, I don't believe that McCain's showing indicates some massive weakness. We all know he has work to do, he even knows that. But to say that there is wholesale apathy is not something that I see supported by these numbers.
Of course, this is all subject to caveats necessary when using Newsweek polls.
Why can't Huckabee with all this mojo now take the leap and run against Pryor?
Sure, the poll shows McCain has some more work to do closing the deal with conservatives, but it also shows Huck has a whole lot of ground to cover before he can even compete to win the nomination. Now I like Huck (as most of you know), but he has a much better shot at being a Senator from Arkansas right now than being President, and if I were him that's exactly what I'd do.
Hang all traitors and secessionists! Hang them high!
- Me
I don't think that staying in the race particularly helps his chances for the VP slot. I think that it's pretty simple: he's having fun, he gets lots of airtime, and it's not costing him (or anyone else) much money, so what the heck. It's not like he has a job to go back to.
-luvthelp