Monday, February 11, 2008

MIKE HUCKABEE

A Bit More on Why Washington's Caucus Controversy Is Much Ado About Nothing

I spoke to the other source in Washington State I trust, Seattle-based radio talk show host Kirby Wilbur.

He too, says the controversy over the Washington caucuses is much ado about nothing.

"There is no legal connection or obligation between the delegates to the county convention that we voted for yesterday and the delegates who go to the GOP Convention in St. Paul. Because Huckabee got 25 percent doesn't mean he gets 25 percent of the delegates to the national convention. Romney got 16 percent, Paul got 20 percent. They could decide to go all for Paul, or some other direction. There's no numerical tie between results of the caucuses and who actually goes to the convention."

"This is the first time Washington state has announced the results like this, and they did it to show the level of support among the grassroots. My sense is Huckabee may not know this, or they're looking for a way to play the victim... I'll give Huckabee and [campaign manager Ed] Rollins the benefit of the doubt, but his state people should know better."

I asked if the results are best understood as an exit poll, and he agreed.

"I know they're saying 'you called it for McCain' — well, he was ahead at the time, and the votes that were outstanding were from heavy McCain areas most King county in Seattle. But the call is irrelevant. That doens't mean McCain gets that percentage of the national delegates. If there's going to be any backroom deals, the deals will be cut at the state convention, and the race will probably be over by then."

Wilbur himself was elected as a delegate - uncommitted. "We as delegates also vote on the GOP platform, and for a lot of people, the platform is as important as the nominee."

Wilbur also noted sometimes delegates were elected because they could make it to the county conventions - which takes a full day in most of the state, two days in Seattle. Then he said sometimes the delegates were selected for entirely personal reasons - "let's nominate Mary because she's worked for the party for forty years."

02/11 09:30 AMShare