Huckabee Wins WV Convention

West Virginia (30 Delegates)

Closed Caucus Results Huckabee 567 52% Romney 521 47% McCain 12 1%

West Virginia Republicans have one of these totally screwed-up systems for determining how delegates will be allotted: 18 of 30 delegates are being determined today at a convention. The winner? Mike Huckabee, with 52%.

After the first vote, Mitt Romney led with 41% to Huckabee's 33%, but on the second, Romney was only able to get up to 47%. Marc Ambinder has one explanation for that:

But sources say that representatives for John McCain called many of his reps in WV and asked them to vote for Huckabee...in order to thwart Romney on the second ballot.

Thwarting accomplished.

Update: Via pollyusa in the comments, WSAZ is reporting that Huckabee got Ron Paul supporters to move to him by promising Paul 3 national delegates.

•  bwahahaha

  Poor, poor McCain.

  Go Mitt!

  by BoiseBlue on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:47:14 AM PDT

  •  Actually

    This was good news for McCain, and apparently his (successful) strategy. :(

    by discocarp on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:48:36 AM PDT

    •  Better though had he won outright

      for him.

      This at least keeps their pack on the diluted side.

      by Terre on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:50:16 AM PDT

      •  Worth noting about this event:

        West Virginia’s statewide Republican primary will occur in the spring but in an effort to exert more of an influence on the presidential process, the state’s Republican Party decided to hold a state convention today.

        http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/...

        by inclusiveheart on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:57:02 AM PDT

        •  Exactly n/t

          by mph2005 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:00:30 PM PDT

        •  Maybe they were afraid of what the results

          of the primary would be?

          by lysias on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:08:17 PM PDT

          •  Probably.

            Both Parties' have a certain level of distain for the voting public.  We have superdelegates that serve in a similar fashion in our party.  They are there to keep us from nominating a bad candidate.

            by inclusiveheart on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:10:31 PM PDT

        •  West Virginia Republicans

          Are just generally screwed up.  At the rate the party is going, we may well be back to a single Republican in the State Senate before too long.  I believe the party's standard bearer (for Governor) this year will be a former house painter, who I believe has served jail time.  

          by robertgp124 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:17:35 PM PDT

          •  West Virginia Democrats are also screwed up

            I haven't been overly impressed with Rockefeller or Byrd. Byrd is known for his pork.
            what has he done to protect the environment?
            The governor of WVa is currently involved in the grade-fixing scandal of his daughter.

            by mattinjersey on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 02:28:36 PM PDT

    •  Interesting last line of the piece...

      Where McCain delivered three delegates to the Ron Paul folks to help knock down Mitt. Means nothing in the big picture, really, but I can't help but thinking that Ron Paul has opened up a whopping 5-1 national delegate lead over Rudy!

      Not bad for a guy my girlfriend keeps calling RuPaul.

      by pmukh on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:40:59 PM PDT

      •  y kant i read?

        errr, when Huckabee promised three delegates to Ron Paul's supporters....

        by pmukh on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:45:57 PM PDT

      •  Paul=Nader?

        I keep thinking of Ron Paul as the Nader of the Republican party. Maybe that title should go to Huckabee instead?

        by Isara on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:00:19 PM PDT

    •  totally. I actually coughed in surprise

      very, very smart strategy.

      by Isara on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:59:17 PM PDT

  •  Awwwwww

    Go Huck!  If we can face a batsh** crazy GOoper in the fall, it will be even more fun.

    The Music Room.

    by madhaus on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:49:05 AM PDT

    •  He will be McCain's VP. n/t

      by inclusiveheart on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:57:49 AM PDT

      •  It would make sense

        Shore up that southern evangelical vote...

        by Tirge Caps on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:00:21 PM PDT

      •  No-Leiberman Will Be His VP

        Reaching across the aisle, Centrist Coalition, etc,etc....

        by IndianaDemocrat on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:01:25 PM PDT

        •  Lieberman has already said

          no as per WSJ.

          by Jbeaudill on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:05:34 PM PDT

          •  The far right wing would not like it either.

            Huckster is the man IMO.

            by inclusiveheart on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:06:53 PM PDT

            •  Yup

              Huckabee's the GOP-VP. McCain needs to shore up the evangelicals.

              by mikeinsf on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:15:33 PM PDT

              •  Limbaugh would ass-plode

                McCain and Huckabee, either of whom could destroy the Republican Party singlehandedly, together on a ticket? Hope ol' Rush has his cemetary plot picked out, because he's got a big coronary coming if that turns out to be the case.

                Wonder what Dobson would think if McCain, the guy he could NEVER support, teams up with one of his types (Huckabee). You think Dobson would vote for McCain in the hopes that age catches up to Johnny Mac?

                by pmukh on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:44:21 PM PDT

                •  Ms Rice...

                  ...maybe considered by McCain. First person of colour and first woman to run on a Republican ticket; and if McCain is an aged one-term President then Rice would be there to out-Clinton Clinton and out-Obama Obama.

                  Poetic ending:

                  Worrying thought as the woman is as crazy as a coot, a shoe fetishist and a liar to boot.

                  Malcolm

                  by malc19ken on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:16:13 PM PDT

                  •  rec'd for the poetry

                    You'd think that the sheer incompetence would be a deal killer for any higher aspirations Condi might hold, but no, Republicans seem to like that sort of thing...

                    "We're the party of personal responsibility!*

                    *just as long as no Republicans are actually held personally responsible.

                    by pmukh on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:48:37 PM PDT

            •  The Defense Contractor Wing....

              FOLLOW THE MONEY.

              by vets74 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:40:41 PM PDT

          •  Begging McCain not to throw him into that

            briar patch, no doubt.

            The Music Room.

            by madhaus on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:05:44 PM PDT

        •  Leiberman might think this

          but he has already lost the VP, and I dont think McCain will shore up the evangelicals with a Jewish Senator from the Northeast.

          by Nailbanger on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:06:51 PM PDT

          •  No matter how man End of Times conventions

            he attends.

            by inclusiveheart on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:07:36 PM PDT

      •  It would make me ill n/t

        by mph2005 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:01:37 PM PDT

    •  I wish, but...

      I talked to my stepmom today. My family are all progressives (though my dad's a bit more fiscally conservative) and my stepmom is voting for... McCain. The way she sees it, she would rather get a Republican she can live with on the ticket, just in case the Republicans win the GE.

      I can't fault her pragmatism, but I told her that if I were to cross the aisle, I'd vote for Huckabee - someone who is sure to lose in the general.

      by Isara on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:03:28 PM PDT

    •  Which is different from a regular GOoper how?

      by jfern on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:54:22 PM PDT

•  Wow

  Devious political strategy at its finest.

  by nyc175 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:47:22 AM PDT

  •  Yeah...

    Does this mean McCain 'owes' Huck now?

    by ablington on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:50:13 AM PDT

    •  I'm sure it does...

      ... although I'm not sure what he'll owe him. I wouldn't automatically assume he'll get the VP slot, but I'd expect him to find some position should McCain win.

      Certainly, Huckabee staying in the race is crippling Romney's efforts against McCain.

      by jmcl89 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:54:06 AM PDT

      •  Or not. It's basically like McCain

        openly deciding that Huck is weak and easily beatable. Kind of insulting to the Huckster, no?

        by ablington on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:58:48 AM PDT

      •  I don't...

        think McCain has any other real choice for VP.  He has to shore up his position with the TheoCon wing of the party, which are crucial ground troops, and will want to go with someone relatively young to balance his age (e.g., Bush/Quayle '88 on both counts).  Huckabee is one of the very few choices I can think of who does both of those.

        by profmatt on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:08:38 PM PDT

        •  Jesus H. Christ.....

          Had no idea what the "H" was for.

          If that's the trick question to get into Heaven, ...least I'm prepared.

          by vets74 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:42:57 PM PDT

    •  Huck owes Paul

      WSAZ is now reporting that Huckabee did a deal with Paul for 3 national delegates

      Michael Wooten just confirmed with ron pauls people that paul will get three national delegates from huckabee in exchange for throwing his wv support to..
      WSAZ 2/5/08

      by pollyusa on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:56:34 AM PDT

      •  What is this, the NFL Draft?

        Ron Paul supporters should take note. He can be bought!

        by Menikmati on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:17:49 PM PDT

        •  of course he can be bought

          isn't that his whole platform...

          *I'm assuming he was paid in gold bullion and not "paper" money of course

          :)

          by Love and Death on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:23:37 PM PDT

        •  No. There's real talent in the NFL draft pool.

          Too bad the Detroit "Lions" consistently fish at the wrong end of that pool.

          by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:57:53 PM PDT

          •  Same with the Jets

            I can't WAIT to see what overrated prospect we pick up this year.

            by Menikmati on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:00:15 PM PDT

      •  I just thought about...

        the three poor Huckabee delegates that have to be seated with the Mosh Pit that will be Ron Paul's delegate pool. maybe they'll get their crowdsurfing video uploaded to YouTube.

        by Menikmati on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:58:53 PM PDT

      •  Also

        WVMetronews.com and http://www.wvpubcast.org/... are good sources for WV News.

        by robertgp124 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:22:23 PM PDT

    •  Huck has been kneeling before

      McCain for the VP spot for quite a little while.

      He's been McCain's surrogate for weeks now.

      I McCain gets the nom, Huck's his running mate.  Or I'll eat my own tongue.

      by AlyoshaKaramazov on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:05:31 PM PDT

      •  Not good enough.

        I McCain gets the nom, Huck's his running mate.  Or I'll eat my own tongue.

        but that won't stop you from typing. How about eating your fingers? lol

        by Purple Hazer on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:30:33 PM PDT

        •  That was a cartoon here. Blood thing.

          by vets74 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:44:01 PM PDT

        •  why the hell do i deserve that?

          WTF?

          by AlyoshaKaramazov on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 02:50:28 PM PDT

          •  Just a joke

            nothing personal. :)

            by Purple Hazer on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 07:21:09 PM PDT

      •  Maybe Huck could be the Minister of Defense

        I doubt McCain would pick him for VP.
        McCain is pretty smart guy.
        Huckabee has way too much baggage.

        by mattinjersey on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 02:31:03 PM PDT

  •  Inside hillbilly ball at its finest

    And I always thought that you just outright bought votes in WV. Whoudathunkit?

    by RUKind on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:54:55 AM PDT

•  Time to Fry up some Squirrels!

  Get out the corn poppers!

  by internationaljock on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:47:25 AM PDT

  •  They'll be ready in a Jiffy!

    by churchlady on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:48:04 AM PDT

  •  Nuts!

    

    We SHALL overcome.

    by Sharon Jumper on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:53:42 AM PDT

    •  That would be one gooey Hot Pocket

      by Menikmati on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:19:59 PM PDT

      •  I will never look at a hot pocket the same again

        you have ruined one of my favorite delicious meals.  I will forever wonder if those are really meatballs...

        by diplomatic on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:28:23 PM PDT

        •  Meat, yes...

          What kind of meat?

          You don wanna know...

          by Sharon Jumper on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:52:47 PM PDT

    •  I like the attitude...

      oh no you didn't! (head bob)

      by diplomatic on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:26:57 PM PDT

  •  Microwaved gerbils for Mittster, please n/t

    by RUKind on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:56:07 AM PDT

•  Backlash

  As a former West Virginia Republican, you can bet there will be heavy backlash against the state party for even permitting this fiasco of a convention. The northern panhandle Republicans would NEVER tolerate a Schmuckabee receiving their vote.

  by mph2005 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:47:51 AM PDT

•  Populism wins the battlegrund states.

  Put W Virginia in the Republican column for November.

  by Salo on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:47:55 AM PDT

  •  If McCain wins the nomination...

    and he can't even come close to carrying the state, what makes you think his chances, even with Huckabee at his side, any better than our level headed, well liked Democratic candidate?

    by Menikmati on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:02:22 PM PDT

•  Love it!! Wish he could win it all.

  We could really win easily in November.

  by Pink Lady on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:47:56 AM PDT

•  The Huckmentum is growing.

  by DH from MD on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:47:58 AM PDT

  •  It's the Colbert bump

    by Sharon Jumper on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:54:28 AM PDT

    •  Well...

      Colbert did make Huckabee.  We all know that.

      by bobcatgrad on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:02:49 PM PDT

      •  But who made Colbert?

        by Sharon Jumper on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:26:04 PM PDT

        •  Who won the beatdown last night?

          I saw Colbert/Conan on A Daily Show and Stewart/Conan on The Colbert Report, but I went to sleep before the final rumble on Conan's show.

          by bobcatgrad on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:37:21 PM PDT

          •  It was a free for all (it's all in the clip!)

            Conan pulled out a Weapon of Mass Destruction (baseball bat)  - they went backstage...Colbert and Stewart ended up fighting each other midway through the fracas. Colbert got the best hits in.

            by Sharon Jumper on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:49:55 PM PDT

          •  How freakin tall is Conan?

            Or are Stewart and Colbert really pygmies?

            by Sharon Jumper on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:51:53 PM PDT

            •  Well.

              Freakin' tall.

              and...

              Yes.

              by bobcatgrad on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:05:18 PM PDT

          •  Huckabee came in at the end, too

            He does have a good sense of humor.

            by Sharon Jumper on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 02:15:58 PM PDT

  •  I Think I'm Gonna Huck-A-Hurl

    ........

    by IndianaDemocrat on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:02:12 PM PDT

•  I almost feel sorry for poor Mitt.

  Being the PB&J in the middle of a McCain/Huck man-sandwich must be uncomfortable.

  by 28th Democrat on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:48:10 AM PDT

  •  I feel sorry for him too.

    by Ex Clinton Democrat on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:48:50 AM PDT

  •  Heh

    Romney thought the endorsement of Man on Dog would protect him.

    by Sharon Jumper on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:56:44 AM PDT

  •  I don't

    Mitt thinks he can buy anything and anybody. I'm glad the voters are proving him wrong.

    Not that he'll get the point. How did he ever manage to get elected Gov of MA? Were all the voters sleep-voting? Or hypnotized?

    by mmacdDE on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:11:00 PM PDT

    •  I thought you could buy anything

      Not sure what went wrong with Mitt's logic there.

      by mattinjersey on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 02:32:29 PM PDT

•  Rush and company will be maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.

  by Ex Clinton Democrat on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:48:10 AM PDT

  •  Rush is always maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.

    That is how he makes money.

    by Common Cents on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:49:15 AM PDT

  •  Rush is fine

    When the Republicans lose in November, now he has his ass covered.  (And in his case that's saying a lot.)

    by lenny at NoMcW on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:20:55 PM PDT

•  Huckamentum! n/t

  by phenry on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:48:13 AM PDT

•  Good. Now we can go Biblical on his a**

  Starting with the Sermon on the Mount....

  and everything Jesus said about rich and poor....healing the sick, etc.

  by LNK on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:48:30 AM PDT

  •  Huck's health care plan is "Pray".

    Pretty biblical if you ask me.

    by Common Cents on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:49:49 AM PDT

    •  If Huck tries to feed our nation's hungry...

      with three fishes and two loaves of Bread, I'm rioting.

      by Menikmati on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:23:51 PM PDT

•  Do Dems have caucuses

  today? Will there be any results soon, or will we pretty much be waiting for late tonight for any results?

  by indiemcemopants on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:48:31 AM PDT

  •  The WV Dem primary is on May 13.

    by DH from MD on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:49:37 AM PDT

  •  Not in West Virginia.

    Primaries for both parties will be held much later, and a few delegates will be awarded on the Republican side as a result of those primaries.  Like I said, weird system.

    by MissLaura on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:49:47 AM PDT

    •  It's new

      The Republicans always had a regular primary in West Virginia on the same date as Democrats. But, since the GOP in West Virginia has grown functionally obsolete (they may not even back their own candidate for Governor), they figured this would be a better way. Turns out it was not. There will be major backlash over this fiasco.

      by mph2005 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:53:01 AM PDT

      •  Thanks for the context. n/t

        by MissLaura on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:54:37 AM PDT

    •  Seems really un-democratic...

      It says to the Republicans of the state:  "Yea, we don't trust you to voice your opinion all the way, so we'll make most of your decision for you.  Later on, you can have a little bit of a say.  It might not matter, but who cares, we got to play kingmaker."

      by bobcatgrad on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:05:18 PM PDT

      •  Has already been said

        The Republican rag newspapers came out condemning this convention process last week. My mother (who is still a registered Republican on paper only) is mortified by the Schmuckabee win. I don't think the WV GOP will make this mistake in 2012.

        by mph2005 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:29:57 PM PDT

    •  A stunt

      As I said earlier, WV Republicans are generally weird.  In four years the party has fallen very far in WV - I think this was a stunt that Doug McKinney pulled to try and salvage some influence for the state party.  Four years ago the party made a big deal about filing for every state house and senate seat.  Two years ago Don Blankenship of Massey Energy vowed to try and turn the legislature Red (difficult in the House, less so in the Senate).  Ever candidate he funded (save one) lost, and the GOP actually lost significant ground in '06.  Latest filings have them actually losing further ground this year.

      Having said all that, I'll guess that the state will still go red in November.

      by robertgp124 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:27:58 PM PDT

  •  In 5 states, including MN, NM, Id, etc

    by Ex Clinton Democrat on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:49:52 AM PDT

•  Romney should've bought Huckabee.

  He's a preacher for crying out loud. Why not just donate to whatever shady organization he has?

  by Common Cents on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:48:51 AM PDT

  •  He still can

    I'm sure.  

    You don't think Huck would quit for a few million deposited in cash in an offshore account?  A guy's got to make a living, and Huck's not rich.  He just needs to set up a "gift registry" at a Swiss Bank.

    by recontext on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:52:12 AM PDT

    •  Willard the Panderer should pony up.

      I would donate to his bribe fund just to get Huckabee to shut up and go back to his backwater snake handlers.

      by Common Cents on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:54:14 AM PDT

•  I approve

  Go clusterhuck!

  by underwhelm on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:48:52 AM PDT

•  Oh West Virginia

  Beautiful state...sad politics.  Why does that happen so much?

  by Deadicated Marxist on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:49:15 AM PDT

  •  WV hasn't made a right choice since the Civil War

    Pretty good deed there, but still...

    by Common Cents on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:50:38 AM PDT

    •  WV

      Surprisingly Democratic, much to the chagrin of many.  2 Democratic Senators, Democratic Governor...true blue union state, and heart of the union movement in the 1920s.  Hell, go down there today, you'll see pictures of JFK and FDR over fireplaces to this day.

      by marcvstraianvs on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:54:14 AM PDT

      •  They went for Dukakis in '88

        by YoursTruly on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:55:04 AM PDT

      •  Yeah but what kind of Democrats?

        Personally, Byrd doesn't light my fire.

        by Common Cents on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:55:10 AM PDT

        •  What kind of Democrats

          They may not float the boat of many outside of WV, but you go down there and most everything is named for Robert Byrd...the guy literally helped pull WV out of the 1800s.

          by marcvstraianvs on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:58:05 AM PDT

          •  Because he appropriated billions to them.

            I'd love him tons if he poured cash into my bank account.

            by Common Cents on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:59:18 AM PDT

        •  Byrd is awesome.

          Consistent voice against the Iraq mess. Doesn't fall for most social conservative tricks (flag burning crap and other such civil liberties stuff). Only weakness I can think of is on approving judicial nominees.

          Rockefeller is a headache.

          by Sixfortyfive on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:59:16 AM PDT

          •  He is not a great steward of funds.

            I'm not for pork no matter who is behind it. He and Ted Stevens are known experts at funneling much more funds than they actually need to the detriment of other states.

            by Common Cents on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:00:27 PM PDT

          •  he's a pretty solid engineer

            for mr. peabody's coal train....

            not pretty.

            by birdbrain64 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:02:03 PM PDT

          •  You are right , but Byrd deserves more credit...

            Robert Byrd's speeches in the Senate (not on TV, but directly to his Senate colleagues) about the folly of the Iraq invasion (all before it happened) are the most eloquent speeches in the last 25 years against war as a solution to problems.  Jimmy Breslin did a column on Byrd's speeches about the war.  I simply do not know why the "progressive" movement of Kossacks is so disdainful of Senator Byrd.  It boggles the mind.  And I have a retort to the common mudslings that are hurled against Byrd every time he says something, but that is for another time and place.

            by smpcalgt on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:53:21 PM PDT

        •  Byrd is why I left the GOP

          If it wasn't for my mentor and idol, Robert C. Byrd, I may have never even read the Constitution.

          by mph2005 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:04:44 PM PDT

    •  Well, let's see...

      West Virginia's history in the electoral college:

      1960. Kennedy

      1964. Johnson

      1968. Humphrey

      1972. Nixon

      1976. Carter

      1980. Carter

      1984. Reagan

      1988. Dukakis

      1992. Clinton

      1996. Clinton

      2000. Bush

      2004. Bush

      by mph2005 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:57:21 AM PDT

    •  Haven't been to WV since early 70s

      back when the air was neon green and the river didn't flow, it burped, because of the pollution.  I wish the WV well and that they'll think twice for the Dems in November.

      by Jbeaudill on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:09:29 PM PDT

•  Now that really is screwed-up... (nt)

  by Zagatzz on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:49:27 AM PDT

•  Mike needs to run as the Christian Party

  Candidate.

  It's WAY past time for that third party to be on the ballot in every state, and help siphon off some of the nut cases/true believers who will otherwise vote Republican.  

  We need a Christian Party on the ballot in all 50 states.  And Huckabee is the dude to run.  (Ron Paul for VP?)

  by recontext on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:49:36 AM PDT

  •  I shudder.

    I hope your snark-i-ness is at a high in that post.  The day we see "Christian Party" as an actual party on a ballot.... I'll cry for our founding fathers.

    by bobcatgrad on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:07:48 PM PDT

    •  Not me

      only because it would guarantee Democrats are victorious for decades to come. True, the thought of it is sickening on its face, but just thinking beyond that for a moment, they'd siphon off about 20% of the GOP vote in every election.

      by RevJoe on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:57:53 PM PDT

      •  Exactly

        "evangelicals" need some place to demonstate their pureness other than the Republican party.  It is necessary to break the Republican grip on the South.  And it would finally divide the Republicans into their more honest subsets.  Religious cults, and materialistic bigots.

        by recontext on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:19:53 PM PDT

  •  It already exists

    It's called the Constitution Party in most states (American Independent Party in California).

    by Geotpf on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:55:50 PM PDT

•  hahahahaha

  thwarting accomplished. Huckster is the answer to McCain's dreams.

  by LightningMan on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:50:23 AM PDT

  •  NO he isn't.

    Huck has made a comeback in Mo, Ala and Ga and is is tied in Mo and Ala and is a few points ahead in Ga. With WVa and Ark, already in his column, it's quite possible that Huck can win as many as six states.

    If Willard can win Mass, Ca, and the caucus states, McCain could be stopped cold. I don't think that's what the campaign planned.

    by YoursTruly on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:18:36 PM PDT

    •  I dunno about stopped cold

      But there would still be three folks with a good number of delegates (and Paul getting a handful).  That all but guarantees a split convention, IMHO.

      by Geotpf on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:59:05 PM PDT

•  Funny but sad.

  Helluva way to pick a nominee.

  by jeepdad on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:50:24 AM PDT

  •  The Republicans don't know who to hate yet..

    because the Democratic party has not picked its nominee.  Therefore there is confusion as to who would be their best possible nominee..as most Republicans don't stand for anything more than hating the Democratic party and what it stands for. What's the old saying, if you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything.  

    by churchlady on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:57:21 AM PDT

•  It'll be interesting to see what this news does

  for other states voting today, as many voters (especially gullible republican ones) will swing to vote for someone with 'momentum' and a 52% victory is a sizeable win...Imagine if Huckabee won 6 or 7 states because of this...then the GOP wouldn't have a candidate at the end of the day as they hoped.

  by darthstar on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:52:18 AM PDT

  •  I doubt it'll get enough play

    to make a big difference - it's a small state with a confusing process, and the results were expected earlier in the day and ended up being sort of complicated, in the sense that the guy who won was a relatively distant second on the first vote, and so on.  Maybe it could make a small difference around the margins, but the only way I think WV would have had a chance to make a real difference was with an overwhelming vote for one candidate right off the bat.

    by MissLaura on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:56:46 AM PDT

•  Huh? No McCain Love in WV?

  I thought that state was full manly-men who would just adore the guy and his "talk out of his ass" Express. Guess not.

  by kefauver on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:52:25 AM PDT

  •  If your a Republican

    In WV, you tend to be a mine operator or owner, not a miner :)

    by marcvstraianvs on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:55:21 AM PDT

    •  Really?

      I would have imagined that a lot of miners would be social/religious conservatives....

      by SadTexan on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:59:06 AM PDT

      •  They are...

        But almost all of them are registered Democrats.

        by mph2005 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:59:45 AM PDT

    •  Blankenship n/t

      by mph2005 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:59:25 AM PDT

  •  No way...

    West Virginia is overwhelmingly Democrat... but put up a Fundie (of either party), and they win. It really disgusts those of us who live in the northern panhandle.

    by mph2005 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:59:05 AM PDT

    •  Most of my family

      Is down in Mingo County and Pike County, KY and that is so true.  Place is blue through and through, but not the type of blue you'll find most anywhere else in the country.

      by marcvstraianvs on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:04:12 PM PDT

      •  Of course not...

        Because they don't live on wages like those who live in Connecticut and New York. Neither do they live in welfare-induced poverty like those in California. Democrats in West Virginia work hard and receive nothing --- that's why they are still Democrats. Unfortunately, unless the New Deal also includes faith-based initiatives and abstinence-only education, you're screwed.

        by mph2005 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:06:43 PM PDT

        •  Yup

          And guns are an absolute must as well.  They are much more a Democratic Party of FDR, Truman, and Kennedy than they are a Democratic Party of Today but they are some of the hardest working folks I've ever met.  Only reason my family got out is my greatgrandpa worked in the mines and paid for my greatgrandma to go to college and become a teacher.  My grandma has pictures of the house her dad grew up in, log cabin with dirt floors.  Quite a difference that 100 years made down there, but you still can find the same things today.

          by marcvstraianvs on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:14:59 PM PDT

    •  or anyplace really

      The stranglehold of southern West Virginia on the rest of the state is maddening.

      by robertgp124 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 01:31:41 PM PDT

•  Damn, damn, damn

  First off, I don't like Huck and McCain colluding to keep Romney down.  Romney needs to win delegates to hurt McCain.

  Secondly, on my three entries into our primary poll-ooza game where we have to guess the winner of each state I have Romney winning W.V.  Now I'm going to start off in a hole.  At least I'm pretty sure the vast majority of others probably also had him winning.

  by AUBoy2007 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:54:37 AM PDT

  •  Anything that helps

    the bullshit express is fine by me. He will be a much much weaker candidate than Romney in the general.

    Ancient person who wants to continue the Bush presidency and wants war followed by more war.

    C'mon it's a gift.

    by stevej on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:03:43 PM PDT

    •  Please. He's still got that "maverick" label and

      the press loves him.  He'll be able to draw in independents and conservative dems who haven't been paying as close attention to things as people here.

      by AUBoy2007 on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:11:03 PM PDT

•  No Ron Paul at all?

  How did they manage that?  A West Virginia state senator wrote a piece a month or two ago expressing fear that Ron Paul people might win the caucus.  And now he had no support at all?

  by lysias on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:54:41 AM PDT

  •  upthread

    says the paul people threw support behind huck in exchange for 3 nat'l delegates.

    by hornrimsylvia on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:01:33 PM PDT

  •  10% on the first ballot.

    He was eliminated from the second ballot for finishing fourth according to the AP.

    by Over the Edge on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:05:27 PM PDT

•  Slightly OT:

  It appears likely at this point that the Republicans are going to have a candidate before we do.

  I had assumed that this would be tactically bad for us, since it would allow their candidate to sit a look presidential while ours keep duking it out.

  But somewhere today I read the suggestion that it could be okay for us, because if our nomination process drags out a bit, our folks will stay in the news and, at least in theory, hone their attacks on the Republican.

  What say y'all?

  by SadTexan on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:55:00 AM PDT

  •  Yes, and No. We have more time on our

    hands to dig out the dirt than they do.

    by Asinus Asinum Fricat on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 12:00:01 PM PDT

•  Okay - this is going to get me n trouble

  but a coworker of mine is Romney's Niece and worked for him for awhile and, according to a 3rd party, says:  "He is a Dick".

  by ETinKC on Tue Feb 05, 2008 at 11:55:13 AM PDT<