Sunday, February 24, 2008
Huckabee on Saturday Night Live
Although there have been calls for Mike Huckabee to pull out of the Republican race now that john McCain clearly has the party’s endorsement and it is mathematically improbable that Huckabee’s 217 delegates could catch up to McCain’s 918, he has remained steadfast in his run for the Presidency. Huckabee made an appearance on the weekend update of Saturday Night Live and used the opportunity to explain why he is ignoring his party-men’s pleas to relinquish his bid for the Presidency. Playing his usual comical self, after being told about the “mathematical impossibility” of winning Huckabee ascertained that “When it’s time to go, I’ll know. And I’ll exit out with class and grace.” In true Saturday Night Live fashion, Huckabee sat through two sets of applause ignoring hints to get off the stage. The question on everyone’s mind is, why hasn’t Huckabee dropped out of the race? There are several possible reasons and the most likely is that the former Governor of Arkansas wants to accumulate as much attention as possible to build a base for running in the future. Virtually unknown outside the state of Arkansas until he attracted national press around Thanksgiving which continued through Super Tuesday, his heyday for this election is winding down but now he has foundations to build upon if he chooses to run for a national position again. While there was initially speculation about him receiving the Vice Presidential nomination, it now seems unlikely and “The longer Huckabee stays in, the more likely he won't be vice president." Ironically, in a list of things everyone must know about Mike Huckabee, published in the Dallas Morning News, his wife’s maiden name is McCain—who knows what would have happened if he hadn’t married his competition? In addition, the reporter explained “in college, Mr. Huckabee and his friends used to fry squirrel in a popcorn popper in their dorm room. I should say it tastes a lot like chicken, but it doesn't, [Huckabee] told NBC's Tim Russert recently.” Despite his odd college pass time, who knows when Huckabee will stop praying for a miracle and begin preparing for his next run for the Republican Party’s Nomination?
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4 comments:
When will he drop out? This is almost like waiting for Richardson's presidential endorsement. I have to give him credit for staying in the race though. I never looked at it in the way that he was staying in the race to gain more attention and possibly help him run for a different political office in the future. No matter what he has gained a large amount of attention with staying in the race. We may see him pursue something else other than politics. I am not sure waht, but it is an interesting idea.
It's interesting to see how Huckabee and Ron Paul have decided to the stay in the race. Of course, there is a major difference between the two candidates. The difference being that Paul continues to run because his supporters are urging him to, while Huckabee has decided to stay in based on his own personal agenda. It really seems strange to me that Huckabee won't just drop out; I really can't come up with a good reason why, other than Melanie's argument.
Despite ideas that Huckabee's veep dreams pale each day he stays in the race, maybe his motivation stems from an idea that he can be on the ticket if he stays in. He might be trying to show John McCain his steadfast nature and commitment to the "good of the party" or he might be trying to gain more name recognition so that others keep suggesting him as an obvious VP choice. Although slightly unconventional, this could be a good a reason as any to explain why Mike Huckabee hasn't quit yet.
The longer Huckabee stays in the race, the more he seems to make a fool out of himself. While I understand the notion that presidential candidates need to make themselves charismatic and people that the public can relate to, I think talking about eating squirrels in one's college past is a little ridiculous...Also, I highly doubt that Huckabee will gain the Vice Presidential nomination, because while he is indubitably socially conservative, his views concerning the economy and immigration are more liberal, therefore making him unpopular with the tried and true Republican bloc of voters.
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