It’s over. For better or worse, John McCain will be the Repulican nominee in 2008. Unfortunately, the only one in the country who seems unable to recognize that fact is Governor Huckabee.Everyone  instinctively knows that Huckabee cannot overtake McCain’s commanding delegate lead, and rather than following the gracious example set by Mayor Giuliani and Governor Romney, Huckabee seems intent upon wounding the presumptive GOP nominee and preventing him from using this critical time to unite the Party, fundraise, and work on creating the kind of nationwide grassroots organization that will be needed for the fall.

Many pundits once speculated that Huckabee was staying in the race long enough to prevent Governor Romney from winning, and hopefully earning a veep spot with a grateful John McCain.  Increasingly however, it appears that Huckabee’s campaign is really all about Huckabee. Far from waging some kind of heroic fight for the conservative heart of the GOP, it appears as though Huckabee is merely running a campaign of personal ambition, for continuing to embarrass John McCain is not the most intuitive way to win over the presumptive nominee or help the conservative cause.  As the syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer has noted, Huckabee seems intent on staying in the race long enough to overtake Governor Romney’s delegate count in order to earn himself 2012 bragging rights as the guy that came in second. Moreover, the otherwise unemployed Huckabee seems to be genuinely enjoying his time in the spotlight – making speeches to adoring crowds and touring from state to state like a country music star.

There is no question that Huckabee has run a good campaign, and there’s little doubt that he has skill as a politician and as a speaker, but enough is enough. Huckabee has proven his worth, demonstrated that he is now a national name in GOP circles, and must be considered amongst other likley candidates in the 2012 race – he’s probably even earned a right to address the Republican National Convention in September.  Yet irrespective of his losses today, Huckabee vows to fight on.

With each passing day, Huckabee’s campaign smacks more of pride and vanity than principle. With each passing week, Huckabee’s own stature is diminished by his attempts to remain in the spotlight. Governor Huckabee may keep playing his guitar, traveling from state to state, and delivering fiery speeches, but the longer he goes on, the smaller he seems. Alas, the candidate that seemed larger than life in Iowa is now the incredible shrinking Huckabee.

You ran a great campaign Governor, but now it’s time to recognize the inevitable, save your dignity, and bow out gracefully before it’s too late.