McCain says it's clear he won WA

Posted: Monday, February 11, 2008 4:01 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy
WASHINGTON, DC -- To show DC-area voters that he isn’t taking their support for granted, John McCain brought his I’m-still-campaigning tour to Annapolis this morning for a press conference with former Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich (R).

After a weekend full of caucus losses and a quasi-endorsement from President Bush, the press had plenty of questions for the presumptive GOP nominee, and McCain did his best to prove that he is still taking the primary race seriously.

After congratulating Huckabee on his victories in Kansas and Louisiana, McCain defended the Washington GOP’s decision to call him the winner its caucus, despite allegations of voting ‘irregularities’ coming from the Huckabee campaign.

“It's pretty clear that we won [in Washington],” McCain said. “[Huckabee] certainly has the right to challenge if he chooses to. But I honestly don't know enough about the details except that I know that state parties declare elections when they have sufficient evidence as to who's won and who's lost. That's not unusual in any way.”

For most of the press conference, McCain took pains to commend Huckabee’s candidacy, arguing that there is still a nomination fight going on. But when he was asked towards the end if his losses over the weekend were a sign of weak organization or lack of enthusiasm, he got a little testy.

“We're doing fine,” McCain said. “We had 700 and some -- close to 800 delegates, and the last time I checked Gov. Huckabee has very few. So I think I'm pretty happy with the situation that we're in. In fact, quite pleased, recognizing that we have a lot of work to do.”

That work includes uniting a party who’s base McCain called “dispirited,” and trying to energize both conservative Republicans and Christian voters to come out and vote for a candidate that they have yet to fully embrace.

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Comments

FREEZE NOBODY POST UNTIL>>>>>>>.............

kenn (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 4:12 PM)

If it's pretty clear, what's wrong with verifying?

DCortez, Houston, Texas (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 4:15 PM)

Maybe they should count all the votes first just not call the State with 87% of the votes in. I think they need a recount. Haven't we seen this before in Flordia?

Vi WI (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 4:18 PM)

You think so? You are a pig. You'll win the presidency and fill are your cabinet and judical vacanies with pigs. Then America becoems United Pigs of America.
I am sorry McCain, but I simply dislike your views on the war on terror and in Iraq. You have to udnerstand that the war not only cost many innocent lives (no, we cannot sacirifce our troops in the name of nonexistent threats to national security, and we cannot sacrifice our troops for our oil thirst, as the real intention of Bush's war seems to be about). You are a warrior, but America lvoes peace.

Patriot (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 4:19 PM)

If he's SO far ahead, what's to fear by a legitimate and full account?
Haven't we had enough of unvalidated election results?

just asking (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 4:30 PM)

But when they call an election they don't stop counting the ballots and leave it at that. Especially when it's that close. McCain is going to get hurt if he tries to defend this Bonehead-in-Washington's actions. He'd look much more presidential if he just said, finish the counting and we'll see who wins.

Bob - Washington (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 4:33 PM)

What would it cost to count all the votes? Maybe a differnt outcome, of course! It's not surprising, just very dissapointing to see the political inner machine hard at work to keep the status quo. You can be better than this...

Russell, Eugene, Oregon. (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 4:36 PM)

Here in Colorado we Dems count ALL the votes. Actually, since it's a caucus, counting up all the delegates from the little sign on sheets is even more important and we don't stop until every one is counted which is why there isn't a final count on our delegates yet. It all takes a lot of going through envelopes and entering data.

How can the GOP decide to just stop counting? Oh wait, we've been here before. Inclusion in the process has never been their priority. Exclusion via ID requirements (the idea that unqualified immigrants are trying to vote is a joke. The problem is getting qualified citizens off their butts to vote), over-purging of Dem leaning demographic members from voters lists, dirty tricks to misinform voters about non-existent requirements or polling place location, tying up phone lines so people can't get rides to the polls, has always been the GOP way, especially the GOP of Bush/Rove.

They know the more ordinary working class people they can keep from voting, the better their chances are and they don't much care for participation by people who punch time clocks. The very idea!

Felix, Littleton CO (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 4:41 PM)

Russell, Eugene, Oregon. (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 4:49 PM)

someone doesn't understand democracy -- unfortunately he wants to be president of a democracy.

nuanced (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 4:57 PM)

When the election results were 37% complete it was 26 to 23 percent for Huckabee. When it was 87% complete it was 25.5 to 23.7 for McCain. That means that McCain out performed Huckabee 55.4 to 44.6 percent of the vote from 37% to 87%. It could just be the result of the urban vs the rural vote coming in at different times. But it seems like a fairly significant difference.

Dave (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 5:08 PM)

87% is not clear to me! Let's continue the count and make it 100%.

Don, Nashua, NH (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 5:15 PM)

I find it very laughable that the GOP "leader" has not won a state (okay maybe one) but gets all the delegates from that state only having 30odd percent in most of his wins.

Now that is a strong showing of how electable he will be in the general election. The GOP does not like him, his only chance will be Hillary winning and everyones dislike of her being greater than their dislike on McCain.

john longmont,CO (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 5:30 PM)

The Washington vote is ridiculous. They can count all the way to 87% and then the task is too difficult to conotinue.

Perhaps Karl Rove can provide some mathematical assistance to these folks.

Texas Voter (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 6:36 PM)

The liberal media wants McCain and democrats want McCain. Both groups will vote against him overwhelmingly in November. If he wins the nomination both groups will be dancing in the isles! No matter if McCain or a full fledged democrat wins the general election, they will have the joy of saying "Reagan has lost".

Eric Holland, Moulton, AL (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 6:53 PM)

"McCain says it's clear he won WA"

Reminds me of the debate in California where McCain was saying Roney supperted a time table for withdraw.

How clear is it? Why not know for sure?

Chris In Texas (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 7:02 PM)

Really. Wasn't like it was a cream out. McCain was only a couple of points ahead. Seems pretty presumptuous. I wish Huckabee would turn around and kick McCain's grouchy butt.

ready for some excitement in the Republican camp too (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 7:14 PM)

I used to respect Senator McCain and, even though a lifelong Democrat, once could have considered voting for him. But now it's apparent he's sold his soul to the win-at-all-cost devil. He morphed on the war in Iraq and is sucking up to the extreme right-wing of his party. I don't like or trust Mike Huckabee who is the Eddie Haskell of this race -- grinning that big goofy grin while saying whatever he thinks will win votes as well. But, I do hope Huckabee stays in the race and fights McCain tooth and nail. They deserve each other.

MK, Beckley, WV (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 7:29 PM)

How could anyone know who really won in WA. The causus sites did not check for voter identification. The rules were not followed such as how many delegates to elect. Some bullies said it was all or nothing for a candidate 100% or flip a coin. FALSE there were formulas for mathematical instances which were not followed.

Shari Chagnon, Longview, WA (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 7:46 PM)

that "pig" as you call him will protect your rear end from terrorists, won't raise taxes like the Dems will, return trust in government to the people, work with both sides of Congress and hopefully get them to work together instead of cutting each others throats all the time. We are called the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, so let him unite us. Huck has his entire family on the payroll, thats one reason he stays in, other one is he is stupid. I have had it with the race calls, and the evangelists. I will vote for honesty, integrity and experience. He is the one to vote for, for change, he will put Washington to work for us. ALL OF US.

Marty CR Iowa (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 7:53 PM)

Didn't uncommitted/unaffiliated win the most votes in WA gop?

Marbw (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 7:54 PM)

McCain looks like the Mummy on the campaign trail! Even Lou Dobbs said he looked like he just woke up today and somebody stuck a microphone in his face! McCain is a nightmare! How anybody could back him at this time of crisis is a sad reminder to how low the GOP has fallen. McCain has no energy, had no events today and limped across the finish line in Florida carried by Crist and Martinez. John McCain is 10 years too late.

Robert NYC (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 8:10 PM)

If we counted three votes and one of the other candidates was ahead would you still say oh, that's ok we wouldn't want to put you to all the work of finishing the job you swore to faithfully complete.

Said so? (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 8:21 PM)

John McCain has an integrity gap. If people come out en masse and vote for Mike Huckabee, it will send a clearer signal than that the Conservatives in the Republican Party are not convinced of John McCain's conservativism. It will send a signal to everyone that this country wants leaders of greater character. Even if we are not perfect ourselves, we should elect people who challenge us to a ascend to a higher place.

Terrence, Atlanta, GA (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 8:36 PM)

MCCain - the only candidate that will protect us from Terror.

Mike, SLC, Utah (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 8:45 PM)

Mike Huckabee can still win. What part of count the votes don't you understanD? This is bad for McCain!

Jim Flynt, Kernersville, NC (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 9:06 PM)

Mike Huckabee can still win. What part of count the votes don't you understanD? This is bad for McCain!

Jim Flynt, Kernersville, NC (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 9:06 PM)

Okay, Patriot, in the interest of lightening things up:

Man shows up at home with a dog under his arm, looks across the room at his wife, and says, "Look at the pig I sleep with."

His wife responds, "That's no pig, it's a dog."

Man replies, "I wasn't talking to you."

Wholly unrelated and, unless you've perhaps had a drink, not even necessarily funny (dependent on taste), but what the hell---lay off the pigs, brother.

iowan (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 9:15 PM)

As a reminder, in justice weblink below, i have found 44 donors to Hillary's Campaign - all from inside the Bill Clinton Pardons. Now thats what I call true friends.

http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pardonchartlst.htm

Julio Espinoza (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 9:23 PM)

And where, exactly, are you clowns getting the idea he was challenging Huckbee's right to request a recount? Did you folks even read to article?

Jeremy, Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 9:27 PM)

look deeper. the blogosphere comment boards are rife with posts by washington republicans railing against those who foolishly assume that they “vote for candidate preference” at their caucuses here. the party rules even state this. the bizarre thing is that Luke Esser still claims to be “counting” something. so what the heck is it that he’s counting?

Mike D, Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 9:31 PM)

With 93.3% counted, McCain's still up by 1.6% - quite a large margin when you consider the TINY pool of caucus-goers. That said, I hope they finish counting the remaining few hundred ballots so Huckster will shut his pie hole.

Chris from Virginia (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 10:37 PM)

G.W.Bush took for granted all the lies he was told about WMD's in Iraq. There was no attempt to verify the facts he was getting from his "Yes Men" !

Why should McCain verify the election count ? It is historical to believe everything that is to your liking and verify everything that is not.

McCain is a Clone of Bush.

George Poole, Hamburg, New York (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 10:45 PM)

At first it's pretty clear and then it's, I honestly don't know enough about the details? Which is is McCain??

Happy as a clam (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 10:51 PM)

How many more states are we going to have questions about??? I try to check in various places about who has won and am now on a regular basis finding different candidates in different positions, different percentages, complete neglect of reporting, recounts stopping after being paid for, computerized voting with no paper trails, errors in deadlines to register for a party affiliation purposely being ignored, and incorrect paperwork showing voters with the wrong party affiliation., etc. What is going on??? If McCain is so wonderful to be forced upon Republicans as the "anointed one", then why can't he even show an ounce of integrity by allowing a full count? Why does he go along with the "powers that be" in questionable states such as New Hampshire too? All Americans should be outraged at what's going on here! How can we ever know now that our vote truly counts?

Connie, Henderson, Tennessee (Sent Monday, February 11, 2008 11:10 PM)

Delegates for the Republican Party are selected 50% by the caucus and 50% by the primary. How can McCain call himself the winner until the Primary is over...which isn't until the 19th of February???
I'd say that someone overstepped the process.

Sandra Smith (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 12:25 AM)

I was leaning on going to the (WA) caucus on Saturday to vote for my friend Huckabee, but am glad I decided instead to go to the Democratic party caucus, where my vote for Obama counted.

Haim, Federal Way, Wash. (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 12:52 AM)

There is one thing that is clear. McCain does not know any details.

Mike, Waco, Texas (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 1:20 AM)

This makes McCain look worse in the eyes of conservatives and especially Evangelicals who believe in a God who hates lying and stealing. To be fair, McCain should demand a recount and count all 100% of the votes. McCain and the possible pro-McCain cheat, Luke Esser, who stopped the counting could simply be afraid that the momentum in non-Southern states could swing for Huckabee if Huckabee really won Washington. Hopefully this unfair act will backfire on McCain.

JP, Oregon (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 1:22 AM)

We haven't had any "unvalidated" election results. The terrorist threats to our country are not (and were not in 2003)non-existent. We have received ZERO oil from Iraq, despite the "No Oil For Blood" mantra that started back in 1990. Do you people actually read?

BT TO (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 1:34 AM)

So what... they're going to settle for a guess. Guessing is cool. It saves time, it saves money, and it's way more fun than actually counting all of those votes.

I'm bored just thinking about counting, so I'll just guess that should they take the time to do so, McCain will win anyway.

Frank (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 2:17 AM)

have msnbc and nbc viewers ever noticed how tim russert and chris mathews kiss up to tom delay, print it you cowards.

ron h (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 3:35 AM)

It is offensive to hear McCain does not want all of the votes counted. Do we want that lack of integrity for a president - absolutely NO! The more I hear Mike Huckabee eloquently speak, the more I read about where he firmly stands on solid principles, and the more I see how warmly authentic and how hardworking, highly intelligent yet down to earth he is, (etc.,etc., etc.) the more I enthusiastically LOVE this tremendous candidate. I have never been a Republican before, I believed Democrats to be the lesser of two evils and yet now, I am so inspired to witness this GENUINE Republican and I am honored to know such a person exists and that there is HOPE. It makes me proud to be an American and I have never felt this way about a president or candidate in my life. Mike Huckabee is the absolute best candidate and he can face off either Clinton or Obama. He is vibrant and up for the challenge ahead. I think that Senator McCain would make an excellent Secretary of Defense, but I will not vote for him if he gets the ticket. No way. Wake up and smell the Huckabee!!! Vote Huckabee!

Shell Fetsko, Fort Smith, AR (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:01 AM)

Hey, Patriot, wake up. IF the war were about oil, why the hell is the price of gas so high?
IF you had a neighbor telling you he was going to lob bombs at you home, would you wait until he lobbed the firt one or would you take steps to prevent him from doing it?

rod de (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:20 AM)

The Republican machine had better wake up. McCain cannot win in November. Huckabee can. Fix the Washington mess give the win to the real winner.

David Krings, Grand Rapids, MN (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:35 AM)

If Mr McCain is so sure he won Washington then he should not have any fear in all of the votes being counted. He should want all votes counted in all elections. To prove his better than the previous Administration.

S Graves Fayettevlle, AR. (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:09 AM)

Count the votes. We went down this road before and look what happened because the American voters were not allowed to choose their President and leader. We wound up with an Administration that felt it could do as it pleased with little regard for either our Constitutional rights or the rights of others. Our men and women in the Military deserved better and we can do better for them and America than McCain!

R. J. Wood (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:11 AM)

13% of WA votes remaining to be counted means that Huckabee at 24% could pull ahead of McCain at 26%; heck, even Paul at 21% could come out ahead, technically speaking. Apparently, McCain's problems with mathematical comprehension aren't just limited to the economy.

Huckabee's quest for the nomination being futile is a conclusion of poor media analysis. Yes, it's mathematically impossible for Huckabee to win enough delegates to win, but he can absolutely prevent McCain from getting enough to win, leading to a brokered convention.

I find it amusing that Obama, who is locked up in an extremely competitive race, is beating Clinton in state after state, whereas McCain, the universally assumed nominee, couldn't pull off a single win this past weekend.

Shadow, Hamden, CT (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:43 AM)

Um just so you know, McCain said he doesn't mind that the Huck is challenging the vote in WA so enough with the McCain-hating. Please. The GOP needs to unite behind him or lose to the Democrats. Take your pick. But just so you know, McCain got Alito and Roberts on the Supreme Court and there are 4 justices over the age of 70. Do you want that in the hands of a Democrat for the next 4 or 8 years?

McCainiac (Sent Tuesday, February 12, 2008 8:15 AM)

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