[img_assist|nid=556|title=HuckinNH|desc=Mike Huckabee hugs his New Hampshire state director Deb Vanderbeek with former Executive Councilor Ruth Griffin and Fred Bramante behind him during the New Hampshire Primary night celebration. Photo by Getty Images.|link=none|align=left|width=400|height=245]

New Hampshire supporters of Mike Huckabee describe a presidential campaign that had a humble beginning with almost no money that fought for Republican ideals to the end.

“My favorite moments might have been when we were eating potato chips and bananas because we had no money,” recalled State Senator Bob Clegg (R-Hudson). “From videotaping, to organizing, to photography we did everything ourselves at the beginning.”

After John McCain secured enough delegates to gain the Republican presidential nomination, Huckabee announced last night that he was withdrawing from the Republican contest.

Huckabee’s New Hampshire campaign manager, Debra Vanderbeek, recalled moments when Huckabee would play his guitar and drive around the state campaigning for votes.

“Some of the best times was when he would strap on that guitar and play,” Vanderbeek said.

“We had a lot of great moments, even car rides when it would be Bob Clegg driving, me sitting in the passenger seat and the Governor in seating the back were memorable.”

Both said the campaign was a great lesson in democracy.

“It was a great exercise in American politics,” Clegg said.

“I think it’s great they were able to talk about Republican issues through Texas,” he added.

Vanderbeek said,” the campaign showed how powerful his message was; he really connected with the average working family.”