McCain-Huckabee '08?

If you'd asked me this question a couple of weeks ago, I would've said it was a sure thing. Not so much anymore. That's because Mike Huckabee won't back down, and it seems like his staying in the race hurts John McCain. Everyone, me especially, was shocked that Mitt Romney suddenly but honorably called it quits at CPAC. And when we heard his reasons, claiming his staying in the campaign would "forestall the launch of a national campaign," it made you wonder: why doesn't Huckabee drop out for the same reasons?

McCain and Huckabee, to put it mildly, seemingly disliked Romney. Romney didn't seem to be too fond of them either. He had more delegates than Huckabee and while Huck is pinching pennies, surely Romney had the money to go on (you can't spell "Romney" without the m-o-n-e-y). If anyone should've dropped out under the circumstances, it should've been the Huckster.

But Huck and all his wit is still here.

And if that isn't enough to make you scratch your head, consider this: it is nearly mathematically impossible for the Immortal Huck Hogan to even get the GOP nomination. Even if he handedly won every remaining contest in every remaining state, he'd still come up short. So, what is Huckaberry Finn trying to prove? Maybe that he can win across the nation and, therefore, should be a shoe-in for VP?

I don't know. That would be a strange tactic; it seems to draw a rift between the senator and the governor rather than prepare them to be on the same ticket.

I do know, however, that Huck's going on polarizes the GOP and reminds conservatives everywhere that McCain is no conservative. It even reminds McCain who was booed at CPAC at the very mention of the word immigration that he's no conservative. At least if Huck dropped out and McCain was the sole Republican standing (sorry, Ron Paul supporters) then Conservatives could focus on McCain, talk themselves into backing him, and pinch their noses to cast that vote. At least they'd have more time to get used to the idea that McCain will be the nominee.

And that'll certainly take some time.