Texas governor endorses McCain

DALLAS — Texas Gov. Rick Perry, joining other big state Republican governors, endorsed Sen. John McCain for president Thursday, saying he is the best candidate in the GOP field to fight terrorism.

"He and I may not agree on every issue," Perry said of the Arizona senator. "But we do agree that this country cannot flinch when it comes to the war against the Islamic terrorists."

Perry's move in Austin came hours after California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's endorsement of McCain at a joint appearance on the West Coast. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist endorsed the senator Saturday night, three days before McCain's big win in that state's GOP primary.

Perry had backed former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who quit the race Wednesday.

McCain's tactics like Nixon's, Romney says

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Republican Mitt Romney accused rival Sen. John McCain of adopting underhanded tactics from Richard Nixon, the GOP president who resigned in disgrace.

"I don't think I want to see our party go back to that kind of campaigning," Romney said in his most pointed rebuttal yet to front-runner McCain's claim that the former Massachusetts governor favors a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq. Romney denies this charge and most media analyses have disputed it.

McCain's decision to level the timetable charge during the Florida primary before Romney could rebut it "was reminiscent of the Nixon era," Romney said. McCain won the Florida contest Tuesday.

McCain adviser Steve Schmidt responded that Romney "is lashing out because he's unable to defend his comments about a timeline, albeit a secret one ... John McCain has simply pointed out a fundamental difference between them at the time when John McCain was advocating a strategy for victory."

Huckabee says he's not dropping out

SAN FRANCISCO — Republican Mike Huckabee bristled Thursday at suggestions that he drop out of the presidential race, brushing aside questions about whether he was sticking it out for a running-mate spot.

"I'm staying in the race because I still think I can win," said Huckabee, who hasn't won since Iowa's caucus Jan. 3.

Huckabee dismissed suggestions that he would siphon votes from rival Mitt Romney and thus help ensure Sen. John McCain wins the nomination.

"I think it's pretty desperate when you say a vote for Mike Huckabee is a vote for John McCain. A vote for Huckabee is a vote for Huckabee," the former Arkansas governor said.

Seattle Times news services