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 »

McCain Clinches; Huckabee Out

Front-runner racks up four easy wins to secure the GOP nomination

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2008 9:02 PM CST
Email

(Newser) – John McCain officially clinched the Republican nomination for president tonight, the Washington Post reports. Mike Huckabee conceded after McCain racked up easy wins in Texas, Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island to surpass the necessary number of delegates—1,191. He is expected to go to the White House tomorrow to collect an endorsement from President Bush.

"I have never believed I was destined be president," said McCain, whose campaign was all but dead last summer. "I don't believe anyone is pre-destined to lead America. But I do believe we are born with responsibilities to the country that has protected our God-given rights." Huckabee congratulated McCain, calling him an "honorable man" and pledging to help unite the party behind him. 

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., reacts with his wife Cindy as they arrive on stage at his primary election watch party in Dallas, Texas Tuesday, March 4, 2008. McCain won the Republican presidential nomination. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., reacts with his wife Cindy as they arrive on stage at his primary election watch party in Dallas, Texas Tuesday, March 4, 2008. McCain won the Republican presidential nomination....   (Associated Press)
Mike Huckabee pauses while speaking at a primary watch party, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Mike Huckabee pauses while speaking at a primary watch party, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)   (Associated Press)
Mike Huckabee, right, and his wife, Janet Huckabee pause during a speech at a primary watch party, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Mike Huckabee, right, and his wife, Janet Huckabee pause during a speech at a primary watch party, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)   (Associated Press)
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., reaches for a microphone at a campaign stop at Goode's Armadillo Palace in Houston, Texas, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, the day of the Texas presidential primary election. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., reaches for a microphone at a campaign stop at Goode's Armadillo Palace in Houston, Texas, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, the day of the Texas presidential primary election. (AP Photo/Gerald...   (Associated Press)
Mike Huckabee, and his wife Janet, arrives at a voting location, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Mike Huckabee, and his wife Janet, arrives at a voting location, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)   (Associated Press)
Mike Huckabee looks toward a television camera as he gives an interview at a voting location in Dallas, Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Voters in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont go to the polls Tuesday in their state's presidential primaries. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Mike Huckabee looks toward a television camera as he gives an interview at a voting location in Dallas, Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Voters in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont go to the polls Tuesday...   (Associated Press)
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and his wife, Cindy, react to news that he has won enough delegates to be named the Republican presidential nominee in his hotel suite in Dallas, Texas, Tuesday night, March 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and his wife, Cindy, react to news that he has won enough delegates to be named the Republican presidential nominee in his hotel suite in Dallas, Texas, Tuesday night, March...   (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.

Read McCain's victory speech
Wall Street Journal

Huckabee: "We fought the good fight"
Bloomberg

Economy top concern among voters
Washington Post

Watch Huckabee's speech
Washington Post

Watch McCain's speech
Washington Post

 
John McCain • Republican • politics • Texas • Ohio • Vermont • presidential primaries • Mike Huckabee • Rhode Island • delegates • superdelegates • Election 2008

More Newser Stories

Obama, McCain Win in Vermont

Clinton Revives Campaign With Wins in Texas, Ohio

South the Big Winner in New Census

Amish Could Give McCain Crucial Swing-State Support

Obama Gets Nod From Houston, Austin Papers
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne