McCain Wins Florida Primary, Giulliani Drops Out

January 30, 2008

(Long Island, N.Y.) In a close battle for the overall lead in the Republican Party nomination for President, Sen. John McCain edged Mass. Governor Mitt Romney to gain momentum and the overall lead in the Florida Primary. McCain gathered 36 percent of the total votes while Gov. Mitt Romney finished with 31 percent. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giulliani was again, a distant third followed by Mike Huckabee and Congressman Ron Paul.

The win gave Sen. John McCain 57 Republican National Convention delegates in a winner take all contest that upped his advantage to 34 points over Mitt Romney. He has 93 delegates in total so far compared to Romney’s 59. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has 40 followed by 10-term Texas Congressman Ron Paul with 4 and Giulliani having only 1 delegate race points. The number of Republican National Convention delegates a candidate gathers will ultimately be the basis on who wins the nomination for Presidency for the Party.

“It shows one thing: I’m the conservative leader who can unite the party,” Sen. McCain says after his win. “We have a ways to go, but we’re getting close” to the nomination”

With his loss in Florida where he was supposed to make his last stand, Rudy Giulliani has conceded defeat and is expected to officially dropped out of contention sometime today. He is expected to give his support to his closest rival, but 20 year friend Sen. John McCain. “I’m proud that we chose to stay positive and to run a campaign of ideas in an era of personal attacks, negative ads and cynical spin” He says in front of gathering supporters and added. “The responsibility of leadership doesn’t end with a single campaign, it goes on and you continue to fight for it, we ran a campaign that was uplifting.”

Senator McCain also acknowledged former Mayor Rudy Giulliani’s efforts and his impending support for McCain in his speech in Miami after his win. “I want to thank my dear friend Rudy Giuliani, who invested his heart and soul in this primary and who conducted himself with all the qualities of the exceptional American leaders he truly is” McCain said. “Thank you Rudy for all you have added to this race and being an inspiration to me and millions of Americans.”

Rudy Giulliani was first recognized nationally when he was a Federal Prosecutor for Manhattan in 1983. He was a well-respected, no non-sense type of professional that helped deter crimes in New York on his term and lowered the Crime rate dramatically when he was elected as Mayor of New York City in his second attempt for the Office in 1993. He gained national importance when he responded with swift justification and action on the 9/11 terrorist attacks and was vital to the City’s efforts in rebuilding.

Posted by News LI Editor · Edited by Brianna - Filed Under Politics