The Race between McCain and Huckabee

Compared to the Democratic race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama the Republican race between John McCain and Mike Huckabee is more clear cut. Senator McCain has what looks like a solid lead over Huckabee; who stands little chance of winning the Republican presidential nomination.

For many conservative republicans John McCain is not “conservative” enough. He has voted in favor of Democrats several times and has gone against the ideological grain of the Republican Party. In Curt Smith’s commentary “Smith: Huckabee is just the man for Texas,” Smith believes that Huckabee is conservative enough for Texans. He believes that Hackabee still stands a chance to win the presidential nomination and that Texas could be his victory.

Senator McCain was “born to privilege,” Smith claims that this is hurts McCain politically. Huckabee has a better appeal to farmers, small business men, and blue-collar workers because of his humble blue collar beginnings. Huckabee also appeals to conservatives because he holds a large amount of support from evangelical Christians. Smith believes that this helped Huckabee win several Southern states and believes that Texas holds the same conservative qualities that the other Southern states have, which will allow Huckabee to win Texas.

Conservatives don’t like McCain because he believes in an easy path to citizenship for immigrants, lacks support for tax cuts, and how he is strictly against Guantanamo Bay. However, he has “crossed the isle” and worked with Democrats to help reach a consensus on many bills; for this he is disliked by many conservatives. He also has the support of many conservative figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger and George H. W. Bush.

Compared to the Democratic presidential nomination, the Republican presidential race seems more civil. Both republican candidates are campaigning minding their own business. While the Democrats are fighting and mudslinging, Mike Huckabee appeals more to the conservatives, while John McCain appeals to the bipartisan/moderate group. With Huckabee's more evangelical and conservative views, he might stand a chance at winning Texas.