Huckabee Tries to Chase Thompson Out of the Race

Mike Huckabee is complaining about Fred Thompson's presence in the race, basically blaming him for his loss in South Carolina:

One day after a disappointing second place finish in South Carolina, Mike Huckabee got back in the saddle Sunday to party at the ranch of action movie icon Chuck Norris, and repeated a claim by his campaign chairman that Fred Thompson was his biggest barrier to defeating John McCain in the Palmetto State.

Huckabee came a close second to McCain in the seven-man Republican presidential line-up, 33-30 percent. But Thompson took third place with 16 percent, and exit polls showed many of Huckabee’s and Thompson’s supporters shared the same priorities on issues like values, immigration and taxes.

“We obviously wanted and we honestly thought we would win. The fact of Fred Thompson’s being in the race took away some votes that we most likely had. I believe every analyst has looked at it that way, Huckabee said. “The snow pretty much – not only froze the streets of the Greenville-Spartanburg area, but the votes came to a stop when it started snowing. That was an area where we had really looked forward to get a heavy and significant vote margin.”

Well, if we're going to play the blame game, I guess Fred could just as easily blame Huckabee for his third place finish. Both were pretty much going for the same voters, and the idea that Huckabee felt he had a preferred position sounds a little arrogant. Granted, he was polling better, but we know how weird the polls have been.

Meanwhile, Huckabee's buddy Chuck Norris is trying to make the case that John McCain is too old to be president:

The age of the next president is getting new attention, as action star and WND columnist Chuck Norris thinks Arizona Sen. John McCain is simply too old for the office.

Norris, who is actively campaigning for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, says in his latest column, "John McCain would put on a strong battle against Hillary, though I fear he would be crippled simply on account of the age factor (72 in August). If the presidency ages one at 3-1 year rate, one term could advance McCain into his 80s."

And at a fundraiser today for Huckabee at his Lone Wolf Ranch in Navasota, Texas, Norris said, "I didn't pick John to support because I'm just afraid that the vice president would wind up taking over his job in that four-year presidency."

"So we need to find someone that can handle it for four years or eight years ... that has the youth and vision and communication skills to make that work."

He has a point, though it's not one that other Republicans are likely to dwell on. However, if he ends up the nominee, the Dems will waste no time reminding everybody of McCain's age and physical limitations.

Patrick Ruffini predicted that John McCain would win if conservatives didn't unite behind Huckabee, and he was certainly right. However, McCain now has to face a bunch of closed primaries where he won't be able to count on independents and Democrats to put him over. I think the other candidates will have a better chance against him.