Next steps for John McCain

I actually got up at 2 this morning to see who won California and Missouri. California was undecided when I went to bed and Missouri was all tied up between McCain and Huckabee. Two thoughts:

1. McCain needs Huckabee: Reflecting upon Mike Huckabee's strong showing in the South and The Key that Unlocks the White House Door, I conclude that Mike Huckabee is a legitimate contender to be McCain's #2. I think that McCain needs Huckabee to woo the social conservatives (think James Dobson) who are skeptical of him. Dobson's vow, "Speaking as a private individual, I would not vote for John McCain under any circumstances", could evaporate if the Southern Baptist minister were the VP. Mike Huckabee must know that it is improbable that he will be top of the ticket. He is staying in to counter Romney and to maneuver for the VP slot. The West Virginia caucus (really more like a convention) where the McCain delegates moved to Huckabee to counter Romney is telling. And the story is this: Romney has two opponents who will collaborate to stop him!
   
2. McCain needs to shine at CPAC this week: This is his chance to assuage the conservatives who are skeptical of him. Will he?
   

Updated: McCain Didn’t Close the Deal

A McCain-Huckabee ticket now appears a real possibility. The two get along better than either does with Romney. If they are strong in the remaining February primaries -- DC, Maryland, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin -- Romney’s chances may evaporate before month’s end.

Tomorrow, both McCain and Romney will address the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, DC. (Huckabee will appear on Saturday morning). The speech McCain will give could be the best opportunity McCain will have to reach out to conservatives and bring them into the fold before the September 1-4 Minneapolis Republican convention.