ROMNEY TAKES NEVADA BY SOLID MARGIN FOR GOP, CLINTON EDGES OBAMA IN SILVER STATE FOR DEMS, McCAIN GETS BIG VICTORY IN SOUTH CAROLINA IN GOP RACE. HUNTER DROPS OUT IN HIS RUNNING FOR THE GOP NOMINATION.
In the 2008 Republican Presidential race, it appears now that only two men have solid momentum going toward the nomination - Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Arizona Senator John McCain.
Earlier today, Romney won the Nevada caucus by a large margin. His ties to the Mormon community led to grabbing 51% of the vote over Texas Congressman Ron Paul with 14%, and McCain with 13% with all precincts reporting. In the single digits were Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson with 8%, Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani with 4%, and California Congressman Duncan Hunter with 2%. As for delegates, Romney took 18, Paul and McCain both had four apiece, Huckabee and Thompson both received two, and Giuliani one. After the Silver State results came in, Hunter withdrew from the race. He left saying that “there’s not daylight in the campaign.” The closing of this campaign virtually turns the lights out on a long and distinguished public career for the San Diego conservative, barring the appointment to an eventual Republican White House cabinet. He will retire from the Congress after this term, leaving his son to run for the seat which he is vacating.
For the Democrats, New York Senator Hillary Clinton won a close race in Nevada over Illinois Senator Barack Obama. With 98% of precincts in, Clinton held 51% of the vote to Obama's 45%. Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards only received 4%, while Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich didn't register a single percent. On delegates, Clinton took twelve, while Obama took thirteen.
In South Carolina, it was a close race between McCain and Huckabee. In the end, it was the Palmetto State's strong military community, backing McCain, that won the day over the choice of evangelical Christians, Huckabee. With 95% of precincts in McCain held 33% of the vote, and was projected the winner over Huckabee, who was close behind with 30%. Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, who really needed a strong showing in South Carolina to be assured of moving forward, was a distant third with 16%. Romney was a close fourth with 15%, Paul received 4%, and Giuliani held 2%. Hunter was on the ballot, but only received 1,016 votes, which didn't register in a percent.
Thompson did not make clear his plans going forward. He is to return to Tennessee, where his mom is ill in a hospital. He is likely to make any plans known over the next couple of days, whether he intends to stay in the race or whether he intends to go on with his life, no longer a candidate for the highest office in the free world.
Florida is the next big test in a still-uncertain GOP field. However, two candidates are now emerging. That may change if Giuliani somehow wins Florida, or if Huckabee shows up strong in Southern and Midwestern states. Those scenarios are becoming less likely, as Romney has the funds to go the distance, and McCain has foreign policy on his side. Thompson may not be out of the picture yet. He could stay in the race for a couple more contests, or the two current frontrunners could choose him to fill the VP slot. Although the GOP race seems to be materializing, this race still will be an exciting run to watch. Stay tuned!
CNN Results
-Nevada
-South Carolina
AP: Hunter Drops Out
CNN: Hunter Mum On Any Plans Of An Endorsement
THE THOMPSON FACTOR
-CNN: Fred still in the race, will consult with advisors to determine next move
-Chicago Tribune: "Thompson Doesn't Bow Out"
MSNBC: Huckabee campaign blames Fred
Boston Globe: Thompson May Continue On To Florida
National Review: Fred shines at last minute
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