Spring Break
McCain downplays doubts
Feb. 12, 2008
Tom Brune - NewsdayIssue date: 2/7/08 Section: MCT News
ANNAPOLIS, Md. _ Confident of sweeping Tuesday's Potomac Primary, John McCain on Monday downplayed doubts arising from conservative defections and Mike Huckabee's persistent, and increasingly pointed, campaign.
Noting that he is far ahead in delegates needed to win the GOP nomination and that he continues to pick up endorsements of key GOP figures, McCain congratulated Huckabee for winning Saturday's Kansas caucus and Louisiana preference primary.
"We have close to 800 delegates. Last time I checked, Governor Huckabee had very few, so I think I'm happy with the situation I'm in," McCain said at a news conference here.
McCain even shrugged off Huckabee's challenge of his win in the Washington state caucuses on Saturday, saying Huckabee has a right to protest it. But McCain added, "I think it's pretty clear that we won."
McCain continues to solidify support among the Republican establishment with endorsements from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison as well as the backing of anti-abortion activist and one-time presidential candidate Gary Bauer.
Asked why so many Republicans are voting for Huckabee, McCain laughed and said, "Because they like him." He added, "I never expected a unanimous vote, although I would certainly like to have that."
McCain said he did not do well in caucuses because they require extensive organization and cost money he hasn't had.
"We'll continue to work hard, particularly now that we've got enough funds to organize," McCain said.
Huckabee, meanwhile, sharpened his attacks on McCain.
Without mentioning names, Huckabee, in Virginia Beach, Va., lumped McCain, a four-term senator, in with Democratic presidential contenders Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as Washington insiders.
"What has the Senate done lately?" Huckabee asked. "An immigration bill," he answered, that caused people to burn up the phone lines with protests.
Noting that he is far ahead in delegates needed to win the GOP nomination and that he continues to pick up endorsements of key GOP figures, McCain congratulated Huckabee for winning Saturday's Kansas caucus and Louisiana preference primary.
"We have close to 800 delegates. Last time I checked, Governor Huckabee had very few, so I think I'm happy with the situation I'm in," McCain said at a news conference here.
McCain even shrugged off Huckabee's challenge of his win in the Washington state caucuses on Saturday, saying Huckabee has a right to protest it. But McCain added, "I think it's pretty clear that we won."
McCain continues to solidify support among the Republican establishment with endorsements from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison as well as the backing of anti-abortion activist and one-time presidential candidate Gary Bauer.
Asked why so many Republicans are voting for Huckabee, McCain laughed and said, "Because they like him." He added, "I never expected a unanimous vote, although I would certainly like to have that."
McCain said he did not do well in caucuses because they require extensive organization and cost money he hasn't had.
"We'll continue to work hard, particularly now that we've got enough funds to organize," McCain said.
Huckabee, meanwhile, sharpened his attacks on McCain.
Without mentioning names, Huckabee, in Virginia Beach, Va., lumped McCain, a four-term senator, in with Democratic presidential contenders Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as Washington insiders.
"What has the Senate done lately?" Huckabee asked. "An immigration bill," he answered, that caused people to burn up the phone lines with protests.
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