Huck Showing Keeps McCain Looking to Right

In his victory speech after sweeping the three Potomic primaries last night, John McCain had one eye on Barack Obama, and one on Mike Huckabee, who continued to harry the frontrunner with a strong showing in conservative and evangelical strongholds in Virginia. Huckabee stalwarts know their man doesn't have a real shot at the GOP nomination, USA Today observes, but are using their votes to keep the pressure on McCain for as long as possible.

"The one chance we have to send a message that he needs to accommodate conservatives," said holdout Paul Weyrich a former Romney supporter. McCain's camp is moving forward with its "party unity efforts," as Huckabee doggedly moves on to Wisconsin, which holds its primary next week. "What I don't know is, will he be able to energize the base of the party?" Huckabee wondered about the presumptive nominee. (More John McCain stories.)