Well, just a few moments ago, i made a phone call Sen. McCain and I offered him my congratulations. I told him that I’d much rather prefer that he had called me tonight. But he was very gracious, as we knew he would be, and I was, uh, certainly willing to compliment him. I want to thank him for running a civil, and a good and a decent campaign to elevate politics and he’s to be congratulated.

One of the things I’m proud of, those of us — the two of us — who finished at the top, ran a campaign with a level of civility — without attacking each other — and even though I’d like for the outcome to be just a little different on the top and in the second place, I had rather be where I am and have done it with honor than to have won with the dishonor of getting there by attacking somebody else and I’m grateful.

I am grateful for the campaign that you have been willing to run with me and grateful for the campaign that he has run as well.

Mitt Romney — who won tonight’s Nevada primary — and Huckabee have continually taken jabs at each other through this presidential campaign and the subtle dig at Romney in Huckabee’s remarks tonight — although not direct — was certainly evident.