[dan1123]

Huckabee’s continued presence in the race will ensure that McCain is the nominee.

No, Huck pulls 9% more votes from McCain than Romney. See post #33.

[kabar]

According to the Florida exit poll, Huckabee's supporters' second choice was McCain -- albeit narrowly. When asked who they would have voted for if their candidate had not been on the Florida ballot, 35 percent of the Huckabee voters said McCain, compared to 26 percent who said Romney.

First, you can't extrapolate from the experience in Florida to the rest of the country. Huckabee plays differently, in different parts of the country.

Second, a head to head match up would show the real strength of McCain. In 2000, he only pulled 33% of the primary vote and he is about at the same percentage now. I seriously doubt that faced with the choice between nominating the GOP's maverick and Romney that McCain will emerge on top.

Based on my on-the-ground experience in SC and FL, I think McCain would lose in a head to head match. And then there is the Ron Paul factor who also draws from conservative voters. McCain is the most liberal Rep in the race. I just don't see him beating Romney head to head around the country.

Huckabee will hurt Romney the most in the South.