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MASON — If it's mathematically impossible for Mike Huckabee to gather enough delegates to grab the Republican nomination, why is he still in the race?

His supporters say he can foil his opponent John McCain's delegate drive and thus force a show down at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis next September. Huckabee's press secretary Alice Stewart said he is in the race for the long haul.

"The race isn't over until someone receives 1,191 delegates, and no one has received that yet," Stewart said. "If he were to drop out he would basically be telling all those people in Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island, North Carolina and all the states that haven't had their primaries or caucuses yet that their votes don't matter. It's certainly possible to bring this all the way to a brokered convention and have it decided in Minneapolis."

According to a CNN news scorecard McCain has 971 delegates, Mitt Romney — who dropped out of the race — holds 286 delegates, Huckabee has 233 and Ron Paul holds 16 delegates. As of Feb. 19, the report showed 1,506 Republican delegates have declared their presidential preference, which leaves 874 up for grabs.

Lori Viars, a Warren County delegate and Huckabee supporter, said she likes her man's chances at a convention showdown because she believes delegates who currently support Romney will cross over to Huckabee.

When word got out that Huckabee would be in Mason on Tuesday, Viars said her phone was ringing off the hook. People wanted to know how they could help with the rally, people offered to bring banners and signs, everyone she said is excited about the rally.

"I've never seen grass roots conservatives this charged up in the 18 years I've been involved in politics," Viars said.