Mike Huckabee Soldiers On After Mitt Romney Vacates Republican Race

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Feb 7, 2008   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Mike Huckabee Soldiers On After Mitt Romney Vacates Republican Race

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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 7,
2008

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Mitt Romney left the Republican presidential race on Thursday but his departure only emboldened Mike Huckabee and encouraged him to continue. Huckabee’s campaign says Romney’s vacating the quest for the GOP nomination will make it easier for the former Arkansas governor to gain support from conservatives.

Huckabee national chairman Ed Rollins told FOX News that Romney’s exit “gives us a chance to run and contrast ourselves against McCain.”

"We’re still in the race and we’re still competing for delegates," Huckabee’s campaign manager said.

On the heels of Romney’s announcement, Huckabee’s camp released a press release saying he would attend private meetings and tape guest appearances on national television programs this evening in New York City.

Illinois Huckabee spokesman David McAloon added that "It’s not over til it’s over" and said Romney’s leaving the race strengthens Huckabee’s position.

Huckabee’s campaign will face its first post-Romney test in Kansas, Washington and Louisiana this week. He will need wins in Louisiana and Kansas if he wants to continue as a viable alternative to McCain.

The next test comes in Virginia, the biggest state in next Tuesday’s Potomac Primary, and a southern one with a strong pro-life base that Huckabee will need if he wants to mount a comeback.

Huckabee has been on the losing end of the timetable candidates have used to drop out of the presidential election since his victory leading off the primary battle in Iowa.

Fred Thompson didn’t end his bid for the GOP nomination until after he split pro-life votes with Huckabee in South Carolina. Rudy Giuliani ended his campaign after taking third place from Huckabee in Florida and endorsing John McCain.

Romney split conservative votes on Super Tuesday that Huckabee could have used to add to his delegate total.