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McCain Wins Virginia, Maryland, DC Primaries

He survives close contest in conservative Virginia with Huckabee

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 12, 2008 10:55 PM CST
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(Newser) – John McCain won the GOP primaries in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, tonight. The Arizona senator enjoyed comfortable wins in Maryland and DC, but he got a run for his money in Virginia from Mike Huckabee. The former Arkansas governor made it a tight race with enthusiastic backing from conservatives and evangelicals, who make up 68% and 40%, respectively, of GOP voters in Virginia, CNN reports.

The narrow win in Virginia, a conservative bellwether, demonstrates the challenge ahead for McCain in uniting the Republican Party around his candidacy, despite an apparently unbeatable lead in delegates. With nearly all returns in, McCain led 50% to 41% in Virginia, 68% to 17% in DC, and 55% to 30% in Maryland. He told supporters he's "fired up" to face the Democratic winner, while Huckabee again vowed not to drop out.

In this photo provided by CBS, Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee appears on CBS's Face the Nation in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/CBS Face the Nation, Karin Cooper)
In this photo provided by CBS, Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee appears on CBS's "Face the Nation" in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/CBS Face the Nation,...   (Associated Press)
In this photo provided by CBS, Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee appears on CBS's Face the Nation in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/CBS Face the Nation, Karin Cooper)
In this photo provided by CBS, Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee appears on CBS's "Face the Nation" in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/CBS Face the Nation,...   (Associated Press)
In this photo provided by CBS, Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee talks in the Green Room before appearing on CBS's Face the Nation in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/CBS Face the Nation, Karin Cooper)
In this photo provided by CBS, Republican presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee talks in the Green Room before appearing on CBS's "Face the Nation" in Washington, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008....   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., laughs as he is introduced at a rally at the Virginia Aviation Museum in Richmond,Va. Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. Behind him is an A-4 Skyhawk fighter jet like the one he was flying when shot down over Vietnam. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., laughs as he is introduced at a rally at the Virginia Aviation Museum in Richmond,Va. Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. Behind him is an A-4 Skyhawk fighter...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a news conference in Annapolis, Md. Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a news conference in Annapolis, Md. Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a 'National Security Roundtable' in Norfolk, Va., Friday, Feb. 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a 'National Security Roundtable' in Norfolk, Va., Friday, Feb. 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a news conference in Annapolis, Md. Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a news conference in Annapolis, Md. Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a news conference in Annapolis, Md. Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks at a news conference in Annapolis, Md. Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)   (Associated Press)
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Huckabee: Republicans still want a choice
Associated Press

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Associated Press

 
John McCain • Maryland • Mike Huckabee • Virginia • Republican presidential primaries • Washington, DC

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