Frenemies: McCain, Huckabee Test Relationship

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Jan. 14, 2008 — -- The South Carolina Republican primary, Saturday, is more than a key political battle. It is also shaping up as unusual test of friendship.

The two leading contenders — Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee — admire and like each other. But each man needs a win in South Carolina to drive his campaign forward.

McCain insists that when he squares off with Huckabee for the first time in a state in which both have a realistic chance a win, it will be different: no harsh exchanges on the stump. No negative ads.

McCain cites a joint appearance at a health-care forum in Iowa a few months ago as the paradigm for the kind of campaign he and Huckabee will wage.

"Huckabee and I, for two hours, talked about where we agreed and where we disagreed," McCain said as his campaign bus, the Straight Talk Express, rolled through central Michigan.

"At the end of that everybody stood and applauded. People came up and said, 'Hey, this is great. You guys disagree but you respect one another.' And I'm confident that I can have that kind of campaign with Huckabee."

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Mutual admiration was forged in that encounter. In the ensuing months, they grew to like each other. On a personal level, McCain thinks Huckabee is a good guy. Both have a mischievous, offbeat sense of humor. As a politician, McCain was deeply impressed by Huckabee's debating skills and wit.

"At various forums and debates and other forums, I've gotten to know him and I've gotten to like him," McCain said. "I still think he's maybe proven debates matter. I really do. Probably one of the great lines of recent years was 'Jesus was too smart to run for public office.'"

The two men have stayed out of each other's way in Michigan where they and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney are bunched together in the polls, with Romney slightly ahead. South Carolina is different. McCain needs to finish first there. It is even more critical if he loses in Michigan.

With a large population of evangelical Christian voters, South Carolina is also the kind of state where Huckabee needs to show he is strong. He desperately wants a W there to follow up his victory in the Iowa Caucus. Already Huckabee and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, who must also do well in South Carolina, are scrapping with each other.