Bowling for Wisconsin
Former President George HW Bush is throwing his support to John McCain today. But McCain's Republican rival Mike Huckabee isn't dropping out of the race. The former Arkansas Governor is busy campaigning in Wisconsin for tomorrow's primary.
"What we need to do is make sure the people of Wisconsin recognize that they are going out and voting their own conscience," Huckabee said last night. "Not doing what somebody in the establishment is telling them. Because this vote is about the future of the Republican party. What kind of party we're going to have in the future."
Huckabee spoke at a Milwaukee bowling alley, where he and his wife Janet bowled a friendly game with the news media.
"People who run for office ought to be able to connect with ordinary folks," Huckabee said, after lacing up his size 12, blue and red rented shoes.
The Huckabees, who confessed to being somewhat out of practice, had a combined score of 86. The populist former minister with a conservative social message bowls like he campaigns. On his last frame, he knocked down several pins on the right and a couple on the left, but most of the pins in the center were still standing.
After the game, the Huckabees posed for pictures with supporters. Ryan Paquette stood in line for an autograph. "He's the only candidate who's really been aligned with my values," said the young aerospace technician, who was wearing a "Promise Keepers" T-shirt. "It's really important to me that we get this nation back on a godly track. And he's the man to do it."
Not everyone was bowled over by the candidate's visit. Roofer Douglas Bogardus just dropped in for a game and was surprised to find a swarm of TV cameras in the lanes.
"I'm more of a John McCain fan myself," Bogardus said.
-- Scott Horsley
9:53 AM ET | 02-18-2008 | permalink
