Huckabee hopes he can add Virginia to his list of Southern victories, but polls suggest McCain is leading.
McCain said he expects Huckabee to stay in the race.
"I respect Governor Huckabee. I expect him to stay in the race. I know we've got a sizable lead in delegates, but we're not easing off," McCain said Monday in Richmond, Va. "Governor Huckabee has every right to remain in the race as long as he feels is necessary."
Reagan waged an all-out challenge to Ford in 1976, carrying his battle nearly all the way to the GOP convention in Kansas City and even announcing a prospective running mate -- then-Sen. Richard Schweiker of Pennsylvania. While the strategy failed, the former California governor's challenge paved the way for a conservative vice presidential running mate, Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan. The ticket was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.
Carter, in turn, was challenged by Kennedy as the former Georgia governor sought a second White House term in 1980. Although Kennedy eventually bowed out of the race, he stirred up party delegates with a rousing speech at the Democratic convention. Carter lost to Reagan.
