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Early blow to Romney as Huckabee wins West Virginia

James Forsyth

Tuesday, 5th February 2008

Mitt Romney flew back from California to speak at the West Virginia caucus this morning but this personal appearance wasn’t enough to put him over the top. Romney, who led in the first round of voting, appears to have been thwarted by an alliance between McCain and Huckabee supporters—further proof of how dislike of Romney is one of the key factors in the Republican race.

The other good news for McCain from this result is that it helps Huckabee justify staying in the race and as long as he does so, Romney will have trouble fully capitalising on the discomfort of some social conservatives with McCain.

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RJB

February 6th, 2008 1:27am

I have yet to read anything about potential running mates for any prospective winner, and the benefits to the Republicans of uniting early. Too late for that now I suppose, but is there any indication of whom McCain would be likely to choose? I don't see the point of Huckabee (in spite of his appeal to social conservatives should he really be a heartbeat from the Oval office?), and don't know how likely McCain would be to go for Romney. If not, who else?