McCain Campaign Alleges Group Supporting Huckabee Behind Push-Polling

Today John McCain's campaign released a statement alleging that a group supporting Mike Huckabee is conducting push-polls in New Hampshire.

"Similar to previously reported calls in Iowa, the calls were to designed to disparage John McCain in an effort to advance Governor Huckabee's campaign," said Chuck Douglas, McCain's New Hampshire Vice Chair.

The statement calls on Huckabee to "condemn these tactics and urge his supporters to stop this activity attempting to smear John McCain or any other candidate, and allow this campaign to be waged on the issues and each candidate's merits."

The former Arkansas Governor is in the middle of a three-day swing through the Granite State.

Here is the full statement:

"Last night, the McCain campaign received disturbing reports of new push-polling calls in New Hampshire paid for by a group supporting Governor Mike Huckabee for president. Similar to previously reported calls in Iowa, the calls were to designed to disparage John McCain in an effort to advance Governor Huckabee's campaign. Governor Huckabee should immediately condemn these tactics and urge his supporters to stop this activity attempting to smear John McCain or any other candidate, and allow this campaign to be waged on the issues and each candidate's merits.

"The New Hampshire Attorney General's office is currently conducting a full investigation to determine who was behind push-polling activities last month. The McCain campaign initiated the investigation and called on all Republican campaigns to join us as parties to the complaint, and we look forward to the results of the Attorney General's investigation.

"Granite State voters are rightly proud of our state's first-in-the-nation primary and see no place for negative attacks in New Hampshire politics. John McCain is running a positive campaign based on his experience, judgment and positive vision for America's future. All Republican campaigns should join with him and pledge to the voters of New Hampshire that they will conduct their campaigns with the dignity voters deserve."