Super Tuesday, two days ago, produced a clear front-runner in the Republican primary and a clear front-runner for the VP slot. I wasn't surprised that John McCain continued to outperform both of his rivals and came out looking like the clear favorite for the nomination. I was surprised however, by how well Mike Huckabee did. He won virtually every state in the South, and I think that was very significant. I'm certain that Huckabee won on the backs of christian conservatives, who make up a large portion of the Republican base, especially in the South. Conservatives have tended to very much dislike John McCain, who I guess is seen as too moderate for the Republican base. Personally, I think the fact that McCain appeals to moderates and independents is very good for the Republican party, and greatly helps their chances of winning the general election in November. But, I digress.
The point is that McCain will need to put a conservative on the ticket with him, in an effort to help him appeal to his party's base. A christian conservative like Mike Huckabee would be perfect for him. With Huckabee on the ticket the Republican base should turnout to vote for McCain and he should sweep the South, something that has been vital to Republicans in the last few elections. This could become even more important to the Republican party if Barack Obama wins the Democratic nomination, as Obama should pull a ton of black voters, which are abundant in the South. If the christian right in the South stays home in a McCain vs. Obama election, it could be a long night for Republicans. Due mostly to Huckabee's success in the South and with the more conservative wing of the Republican party, I believe a McCain/Huckabee ticket is almost assured at this point.
Finally, here's a great article from CNN.com today regarding McCain and the perception that he's not conservative enough.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/06/roland.martin/index.html
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