Huckabee Wins Kansas; Democratic Results Later
Showing there is still some fight left in his candidacy for the GOP nomination, former governor Mike Huckabee (Ark.) won Kansas's caucuses this afternoon.
With nearly 80 percent of the precincts reporting Huckabee held a massive 62 percent to 22 percent lead over Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) was third with 11 percent.
Republicans will also cast votes today in Washington State, a caucus, and Louisiana, a primary. Despite Huckabee's victory in Kansas, the conventional wisdom continues to solidify that McCain is the all-but-certain Republican presidential nominee. (Make sure to read the terrific piece about the on again, off again and now on again relationship between McCain and President George W. Bush.)
There is far less certainty on the Democratic side as the race between Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.) seems likely to continue for at least another month.
Democrats in Washington state, Louisiana and Nebraska will vote today; Obama is favored in all three. Maine's caucus is on Sunday -- where Clinton could score a needed win.
Today's results from Washington will be available by 6 p.m. (or so) Eastern Time, while Louisiana and Nebraska will report later tonight.
Make sure to keep an eye on washingtonpost.com to stay current on all of tonight's voting.
By
Chris Cillizza
|
February 9, 2008; 4:40 PM ET
Categories:
Eye on 2008
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Posted by: ffbsensei | February 11, 2008 10:45 AM | Report abuse
Maybe the best democratic strategy for the fall is for Howard Dean to start subsidizing the Huckabee campaign. It's amazing how weak McCain looks at being able to close the deal for the republican nomination. The longer that goes on, the harder he'll have to work repairing the damage.
Posted by: optimyst | February 10, 2008 2:48 PM | Report abuse
Everybody is focusing on the Democrats, but did anyone notice that the Republican race is looking more and more like a race again? McCain was supposed to be crowned and seated by now, but he looks to have lost two out of three contests today, and is barely squeaking out a win in Washington. McCain should have dominated Washington.
I think there are a lot of conservatives out there deeply disturbed by a McCain nomination, and they are starting to make the backlash felt. The only question is whether or not the effort to derail McCain is too late. I suspect that even the close win in Washington will be enough to keep McCain on track, although had he lost Washington, too, I'd say the race is back to being completely wide open.
Posted by: blert | February 10, 2008 1:49 AM | Report abuse
lyle, you must remember the Clinton spin. These events don't matter. Next month, she'll be back, with big wins in TX, PA & OH. Fret not.
Posted by: bsimon | February 9, 2008 10:20 PM | Report abuse
lylepink - My precinct caucus location was made up of mostly very white, middle aged or older voters and went for Obama at 70%. You make comments like the one you made at the peril of a complete lack of understanding of how broad Obama's support is.
Posted by: DanKirkd | February 9, 2008 9:55 PM | Report abuse
I think it will be Pa. and Ohio when the Dems will surely understand Obama CANNOT WIN in 2008. Just like the "Obama girl" did not even take the time to bother to vote. These young kids are having fun now and do not realize how important this Election is. This change thing is reallt what it is all about and Hillary is the only Dem that can, and will effect this.
Posted by: lylepink | February 9, 2008 9:51 PM | Report abuse
"Louisiana looks much closer. "
As of 9:30 eastern, WaPost politics page has 41 to 40%, with only 1% reporting. Too early to draw conclusions...
Posted by: bsimon | February 9, 2008 9:47 PM | Report abuse
Louisiana looks much closer. Wonder what's going on there. I know Hillary spent a lot more money there compared to Barack, although she herself did not go to campaign in person.
Posted by: wpost4112 | February 9, 2008 9:24 PM | Report abuse
wpost4112 - you can, in special circumstances in WA state vote via surrogate, but it isn't something that would have much effect on the outcome.
The "beauty contest" Feb 19 WA primary does allow mail-in voting. But the result allocates 0% of the Democratic delegates here. Obama should win that as well if recent polling is to be believed.
Posted by: DanKirkd | February 9, 2008 9:17 PM | Report abuse
DanKirkD- Thanks.
VA's primary is on the 12th and BamBam is speaking here in Richmond tonight. Can't wait to vote.
I wonder if the other factor is that there are no absentee votes in caucuses...or are there? Hillary has benefited from a lot of absentee votes thus far.
Posted by: wpost4112 | February 9, 2008 9:07 PM | Report abuse
wpost4112 - Honestly, to me they are. He's been doing so well in caucus states and his visit to Seattle drew 18,000 supports, with 3,000 or more unable to get in, and more (like myself) who just figured it would be packed and didn't even try.
Clinton was here the night before and drew 5,000.
BTW, McCain drew 400.
We like our liberals in Seattle.
Looks like Obama will win 2 of every 3 state delegates in Washington:
Posted by: DanKirkd | February 9, 2008 8:58 PM | Report abuse
CNN has declared Obama the winner in both Nebraska and Washington State by wide margins. This is following the pattern from Super Tuesday where BHO won several states by large numbers. He spoke to 7000 in Bangor ME late this afternoon. Will the pattern continue tomorrow?
Posted by: welchd | February 9, 2008 8:58 PM | Report abuse
Dang! Bambam is rockin.
Or are the 70/30 results in WA and NE expected?
Posted by: wpost4112 | February 9, 2008 8:44 PM | Report abuse
NBC: OBAMA WINS NEBRASKA
Posted by: rfpiktor | February 9, 2008 8:22 PM | Report abuse
Washington appears to be massively supporting Obama, perhaps as much as by 75% to 25% based on anecdotal reports coming in across the Washington blogosphere.
Turnout was huge at my location and all around the state. My precinct alone had almost 8 times more people than last time. Almost all for Obama, and some of these people would have called themselves Republicans 4 years ago.
I've written about it here:
http://www.kirkdorffer.com/ontheroadto2008/
And we thought 2004 was a big election year!
Posted by: DanKirkd | February 9, 2008 7:42 PM | Report abuse
Does Hillary still believe that Obama is not experienced enough to authorize the invasion of Iraq?...
Posted by: cjroses | February 9, 2008 5:08 PM | Report abuse
I thought the Washington republicans caucus tomorrow.
Posted by: optimyst | February 9, 2008 4:58 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
I have a question. What happens to Romney's delegates now that he's dropped out? I know he wasn't pleased with either McCain or Huckabee. But could he throw his delegates support to Huckabee? That would make this a viable horse race again.