One thing is clear: A vote for Huckabee is a vote for McCain.

As Hugh Hewitt reflects on the last debate:

Romney's problem sat at the end of the stage --Mike Huckabee, the conservative coalition splitter. Amiable, smart, and ambitious for the vice presidency, Mike Huckabee is staying in the race not to win it --Huck's far too smart to believe that fantasy-- but to keep the conservative opposition to McCain divided.

Huckabee knows he can’t win. But he can still be a kingmaker, and in the deal, get the VP nod from McCain.

The reality is, Mitt Romney is the only candidate who can represent all three bases of what has been called “the Reagan coalition”: social conservatives, fiscal conservatives, and pro-military conservatives. (Watch video.) This ability to unite all three bases of the party – not to mention his considerable personal wealth to finance his campaign – make him the only "acceptable" and "viable" Republican presidential candidate who can have a chance against the Democrats in the general election. (In contrast, both McCain and Huckabee represent only parts of the Reagan coalition; also both have cash flow problems.)

Audio: Social Conservatives need to take charge and hold strong. listen