Huckabee Scores 1st Blood With W.Va. Victory

With mere scattered victories, he vows to battle to bitter end

(NEWSER) - Victorious only in his home state of Massachusetts, Utah, and five caucus states, Mitt Romney vowed last night to stay in the campaign—and is digging in for a long, hard battle, AP reports. Speaking in Boston, Romney pledged to fight all the way to the convention, casting his campaign as a struggle to save the nation's future. "It's not all done tonight. We're going to keep on battling," he said. More»

Huckabee's strong Southern showing complicates GOP race

(NEWSER) - Mike Huckabee was expected to win his home state of Arkansas on Super Tuesday, but his wins in West Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia on top of that have put the supposed "third wheel" back in the race for the GOP nomination, the Washington Post reports. "Sometimes one small, smooth stone is more effective than a suit of armor," Huckabee told cheering supporters in Arkansas. More»

John McCain, you are not Mr Popularity. Michael Steele, neither are you.

(NEWSER) - Republicans hoping to ride the Tea Party wave this year and beyond might end up soaked. Politico surveyed leaders of the movement nationally, and found that almost every single prominent Republican was on the Tea Party's bad list. The party whipping boy? 2008 GOP nominee John McCain, underscoring the disconnect between the two sides. Click through the gallery for also-rans. More»

(NEWSER) - The Boston Phoenix drew up its “Unsexiest Men” list in March, but the election season produced some new contenders, while others earned a reprieve.

• John Edwards: The perennial Dem also-ran wasn't on the first list, but his very public dalliance earns him a spot after a recount of sorts.
• Mike Huckabee: Though on the earlier list, the "sweet-natured creationist" receives a pardon for his success as a TV host.

Pair heads for debut rally Friday

(NEWSER) - John McCain has picked his running mate, but he's not telling just yet, Politico reports. McCain will reportedly inform his vice-presidential pick tomorrow, then unveil his choice to the nation on Friday. The two are then expected to campaign in battleground states this weekend, ahead of the GOP convention on Monday. Speculation remains centered on Mitt Romney, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and political chameleon Joe Lieberman. More»