Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Fla. Holds the Key for GOP

Sunshine State can boost, dash electoral dreams

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 21, 2008 10:43 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – The Republican field has made a mad dash for wide-open Florida, where Mike Huckabee prays for the Panhandle pious, John McCain hustles veterans, and Rudy Giuliani reminds ex-New Yorkers how much he did for them. The Jan. 29 primary is the first closed contest, meaning McCain can’t rely on independents to carry the state—though he edges Giuliani in recent polls.

Even counting Mitt Romney’s open checkbook, no candidate has enough cash to deluge Florida with TV ads, the Washington Post reports. The stakes are high not just because of the 57 delegates—or 114, if the party reverses the penalty for moving the primary up—but because it will make or break Giuliani and may be Huckabee's last stand.

Republican Presidential candidate and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani walks in the Three Kings Parade in the Little Havana section of Miami, Fla, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, as he continues to campaign in Florida. Its changing population, shifting political alliances and states-within-a-state diversity make it a wild card...
Republican Presidential candidate and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani walks in the Three Kings Parade in the Little Havana section of Miami, Fla, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, as he continues to campaign...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., answers questions at the Florida Association of Broadcasters, Wednesday, June 20, 2007, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., answers questions at the Florida Association of Broadcasters, Wednesday, June 20, 2007, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, speaks at a campaign stop at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Republican presidential hopeful, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, speaks at a campaign stop at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero)   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Four of 10 Floridians have military ties
New York Times

Giuliani will finally rise on his celebrity...or fall
Newsday

 
Mitt Romney • John McCain • Rudy Giuliani • veterans • Mike Huckabee • Florida primary

More Newser Stories

Mitt's Seconds Looking More Like Lasts

McCain Edges Romney in Florida

Rudy Will Drop Out, Endorse McCain

McCain Takes Slim Florida Lead

NY State of Mind? Rudy Has Florida Headache
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne