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McCain Edges Romney in Florida

Victory gives him big boost heading into Super Tuesday

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 29, 2008 9:28 PM CST
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(Newser) – John McCain scored a hard-fought victory over Mitt Romney in Florida tonight to establish himself as the Republican front-runner a week ahead of Super Tuesday, Politico reports. McCain got 36% of the vote to Romney's 31%. Rudy Giuliani, who staked his campaign on a win here, managed just 15% and will reportedly drop out. Mike Huckabee had 13%.

“Our victory might not have reached landslide proportions, but it is sweet nonetheless,” McCain said. "It shows one thing. I'm the conservative leader who can unite the party." With the victory, McCain won all 57 delegates in play. Romney, meanwhile, vowed to stay in the race. "At a time like this, America needs a president in the White House who has actually had a job in the real economy," he said. Huckabee, too, said he would continue.

Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., smiles while speaking to reporters outside a polling station in St. Petersburg, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, the morning of Florida's Republican Presidential Primary. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., smiles while speaking to reporters outside a polling station in St. Petersburg, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, the morning of Florida's Republican...   (Associated Press)
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., smiles while speaking to reporters outside a polling station in St. Petersburg, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, on the morning of Florida's Republican Presidential Primary. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., smiles while speaking to reporters outside a polling station in St. Petersburg, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, on the morning of Florida's Republican Presidential Primary. (AP...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, speaks to supports during a primary day campaign rally in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Republican presidential hopeful, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, speaks to supports during a primary day campaign rally in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero)   (Associated Press)
Mitt Romney shakes hands after a primary day campaign rally in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Mitt Romney shakes hands after a primary day campaign rally in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero)   (Associated Press)
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani visits his campaign headquarters in Winter Park, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani visits his campaign headquarters in Winter Park, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)   (Associated Press)
Mike Huckabee laughs during a campaign event Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, in Jefferson City, Mo. Huckabee told about 200 supporters that he needs to do well in Midwestern and Southern states holding primaries on Feb. 5. (AP Photo/Kelley McCall)
Mike Huckabee laughs during a campaign event Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, in Jefferson City, Mo. Huckabee told about 200 supporters that he needs to do well in Midwestern and Southern states holding primaries...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., celebrates with his wife Cindy, his primary victory in Miami, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., celebrates with his wife Cindy, his primary victory in Miami, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)   (Associated Press)
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