McCain Opens Big Delegate Lead In GOP Race

Super Tuesday Triumph For McCain; Huckabee Sweeps South; Romney Has Disappointing Night

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com political reporter Brian Montopoli.

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Propelled by wins in delegate-rich, winner-take-all Super Tuesday states, John McCain opened up a significant lead over rivals Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney in his quest for the GOP presidential nomination.

McCain took the winner-take-all states of New York, New Jersey, Missouri, Arizona, Connecticut and Delaware, as well as California, Illinois, and Oklahoma.

The California loss was a particularly tough blow for Romney, who hoped to leverage a win in the state to slow McCain's momentum following the Arizona senator's earlier wins in Florida and South Carolina.

It was a "very disappointing night" for Romney, said CBS News political consultant Nicolle Wallace.

"For all the personal millions that Mitt Romney spent, he got a whole lot of bronze medals," said Wallace.

Romney did score victories in Massachusetts, where he served as governor, and Utah, a winner-take-all state with a large Mormon population. He also took home wins in Montana, Minnesota, Colorado, Alaska and North Dakota.

Huckabee, meanwhile, had a better-than-expected Super Tuesday driven by victories in the South.

The Baptist minister won in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia and his home state of Arkansas.

As of Wednesday evening, McCain won 607 delegates, Huckabee won 155 delegates and Romney won 119 delegates in Super Tuesday voting, according to a CBS News estimate.

Overall, McCain led with 696 delegates, followed by Huckabee with 1662 delegates and Romney with 154 delegates. 1,191 delegates are needed to secure the Republican nomination. Click here to see the full delegate count..

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View All Super Tuesday Results

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McCain spoke to supporters last night in his home state of Arizona.

"Although I've never minded the role of the underdog...tonight I think we must get used to the idea that we are the Republican Party front-runner for the nomination of the President of the United States," McCain said. "And I don't really mind it one bit." (Watch McCain Video)

According to CBS News national exit polls, 39 percent of Republicans cited the economy as their most important issue today, followed by illegal immigration (23 percent), the war in Iraq (19 percent) and terrorism (15 percent). Sixty-one percent of Republican respondents said they had a negative view of the U.S. economy.

When asked for the most important quality in a candidate, 45 percent of GOP voters said it was that they share their values. Experience was cited by 24 percent of respondents, followed by "says what he believes" at 22 percent and "has the best chance to win in November" at 7 percent.

Twenty-one states held Republican contests on Tuesday. Unlike the Democrats, Republicans allow states to hold winner-take-all contests, in which the winner of the statewide vote is awarded the vast majority of the state's delegates. For that reason, it is easier for a Republican than a Democrat to build a significant lead over his rivals. (For coverage of the Democratic race, click here.)

As the results came in Tuesday night, both Huckabee and Romney vowed to remain in the race.

"We're going to keep on battling - we're going to go all the way to the convention, we're going to win this thing and we're going to go to the White House," Romney said. (Watch Romney video)

Huckabee, who has complained that Romney cast the Republican contest as a two-man race between Romney and McCain, told CBS News anchor Katie Couric Tuesday night, "I think we're proving tonight that we're a choice for many, many conservatives, certainly across the South."

"Maybe Mitt Romney was right - it is a two-man race," he added. "It's just that I'm the other man in the race." (Watch Huckabee's interview with Couric)

According to CBS News exit polls, voters who said that their most important issue was the economy, the war in Iraq, or terrorism all favored McCain. Voters who said illegal immigration was their top issue supported Romney.

Voters who said they were looking for a candidate who "says what he believes," "has the right experience," or "has the best chance to win in November" also favored McCain. Romney won the support of voters looking for a candidate who "shares my values."

Huckabee secured the day's first victory, having received 52 percent of the votes cast at the West Virginia state GOP convention. According to CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder, McCain called many of his representatives in West Virginia and asked them to support Huckabee in an ultimately successful effort to thwart Romney.

McCain and Romney have sparred repeatedly over the course of the campaign, though McCain had kind words for his rival as the results came in.

"This election, like any election, is a rough and tumble business," McCain said. "We all want to win and we fight as hard as we can to do it. But I have respect for people who are willing to accept the extraordinary demands - all the ups and downs - of such a tough and long contest, and Governor Romney has mine."

As Super Tuesday approached, however, the candidates unleashed dueling negative ads. They also engaged in a public spat spurred by a letter that former GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole sent to Rush Limbaugh, a fierce McCain critic, asking the talk show host to give the Arizona senator a second look. (For details, see CBS News blog Horserace.)

Romney tried to leverage conservative resistance to McCain in the run-up to Super Tuesday, advertising on Limbaugh's radio program and campaigning with McCain detractor and former senator Rick Santorum.

Huckabee also engaged in verbal sparring with Romney, who suggested that Huckabee was taking conservative votes that should be going to him. Romney said last week that "a vote for Mike Huckabee is a vote for John McCain," prompting Huckabee to accuse Romney of "voter suppression."

Though McCain's campaign seemed moribund this past summer, the senator recovered to win primaries in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida and enter Super Tuesday as the man to beat. “Lazarus must be his middle name," said CBS News senior political analyst Jeff Greenfield.

"McCain is the new face of the Republican Party," wrote CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs in an analysis of the Super Tuesday results. "Despite loud and sometimes bitter opposition from some conservative corners, the Arizona senator has edged ever closer to winning his party’s presidential nomination."

[idchris1]

This was a win for McCain, not Huckabee. It''s also just another display of Washington politics as usual. Should McCain win he will never be able to unite the Republican party - he''s a Democrat in sheep''s clothing. Why doesn''t he just change party and make it official?!

[irliberal]

Oh my goodness. Huckabee won the republican side of West Virginia. If I were living in West Virginia - I would be SO embarrassed. LOL!

[excoachken]

So, how about we let the Huckster have West Virginia as his own country. It could be his test run. Within opne year the SAT scores for the rest of the 49 states would jump up about 15 points and the 7-11s in Charleston would be selling moonshine instead of Budweiser. Tourism would be up among born again wackos and they would give the rest of us a break from their incessant guilt ridden harassment. Just a thought.

[edjamgra]

Big bully/crybaby Mitt.

Mitt is like the play groung bully. He pushes and pushes until someone pushes back then he runs crying to the teacher.

Mitt started the hardball plitics in the very first contest. He has run personel attack ads and distorted his opponents record in every state and falsefied his onw record.

Does he expect the other candidates to roll over and play dead and not fight back? Mitt if you can''t take the heat get out of the race.

[x_specter_x]

McCain the democrat will NEVER get my vote... and the worst thing about his is not that he is a moderate/liberal, but that he is a lying, dirty politician. He has NO class. He cheated on his wife. He cheated during the election (several times). He lies about Romney (several times).

A republican candidate that didn''t have the support of the base has never won the white house.... like Bob Dole. McCain is definitely going to lose big if he gets the nomination.

I''ll do my part and vote against him.

[byeneocons]

xpecter said McCain "he is a lying, dirty politician."

But yet you probably voted for Bush, right?

[irliberal]

McCain the democrat will NEVER get my vote... He cheated on his wife. Posted by x_specter_x at 05:53 PM

Oh, make no mistake I''m not rooting for McCain or any of the other republicans. But I''m curious. This person, as typical of many republicans, seems to think that private marital fidelity is somehow a qualifying, positve factor for President. I''m not saying that''s necessarily a bad thing since I''m not married myself but it makes you wonder - someone who puts such weight on something that is 100% irrelevant to the job (except for perhaps right wing pr value) - well, it seems like they''re picking people out for all the wrong reasons. Whether McCain or Romney or Huckabee have a wife, are single, divorced or go through women like a box of tissues doesn''t concern me in the slightest because that has absolutely nothing to do with his ability to run the country. You know, the important things. The economy. Forging ties, building bridges, creating peace. (Incidently THAT is how you defend a country in today''s age) Securing civil liberties and privacy. Ensuring quality healthcare for everyone. Weakening the tax burden on those that can least afford it and increasing it on those who don''t even notice it (except on paper).

This moron is concerned about McCain''s alleged marital affair. Ya have to be just plain right wing looneytunes to come from such a perspective.

Oh well. He won''t win anyway. GO HILLARY 08!!!! WOOHOO!

[jumkey]

McCain the Democrat - god that''s hysterical.

Whatever it takes to make you feel better about the fact that all Republicans are complete and total idiots and failures, well OK then.

Oh, and I love the part about the biggest concern from Republicans being the economy. Amazing. The elites in the Party have been picking the pockets of the middle class for years and NOW the rubes are starting to notice. "Abortion! Guns! Terror! Look over there while we steal from you!"

Well folks, it''s too late. You''ve screwed the pooch. It''s bread lines and foreclosure and bankruptcy for you now - and you have no one to blame but yourselves.

But given that Republicans are nothing but whiners and professional victims I''m sure you''ll find someone else to blame for this mess you make.

[squidly8]

I was literally driving to the polls - no more than 1/4 mile away when I heard what McCain did in WV. I was going to cast my vote for McCain. I changed and voted for Romney. If McCain isn''t strong enough to win on his own merits and resorts to "vote for Huckabee so Romney doesn''t win" tactics he doesn''t desrve my vote. I expected more.

[news4all]

Huckabee and McCain deserve each other, but neither of them deserve the white house.

Romney is amazing! He has been lied about, dragged through the mud of religious bigotry, labeled as a flip-flopper even though he only flipped for the better and has truly had to deal with a lot of dirty tricks (this latest one in WV included) and he still sees the positive side of things.

Romney is the most qualified for the presidency based on his education, experience, wisdom and integrity alone, but he also has something the other Republican candidates lack... Romney has decorum!

Consider McCain''s horrible temperament and manipulative ways and Huckabee''s goofiness and self-righteousness... How can any Republican vote against Romney? He would make such a great president!

[cpaide]

mchuck barely wins over rommel? that''s funny. mccain is too old and ugly--like billary clinton.

[timoteotk]

GOVERNOR HUCKABEE wins the Mountain Mama-West Virgina!!!!Woohoo!!!!! take that radio talk show hosts and liberal media that has TRIED to shut Governor Huckabee down- He took his case straight to the people and BEAT the Romney money machine...ina a state he wasn''t even predicted to do well in...Maybe Romney should drop out of the race and stop taking votes from Huckabee!!!!!! 18 delegates for the real Governor...Congratualtions Governor Huckabee-YOU DESERVE IT!!!!

[timoteotk]

GOVERNOR HUCKABEE wins the Mountain Mama-West Virgina!!!!Woohoo!!!!! take that radio talk show hosts and liberal media that has TRIED to shut Governor Huckabee down- He took his case straight to the people and BEAT the Romney money machine...ina a state he wasn''t even predicted to do well in...Maybe Romney should drop out of the race and stop taking votes from Huckabee!!!!!! 18 delegates for the real Governor...Congratualtions Governor Huckabee-YOU DESERVE IT!!!!

WHO is WHINING NOW ROMNEY!!!

[timoteotk]

ROMNEY IS A BIG WHINER!!! Huckabee Is a Big WINNER!!!YES!!(Despite being shut down by the liberal press and the attempted sabotage by HIS OWN PARTY!!!

[stezzer]

Do the people of the most technically advanced nation on earth really want a leader who believes the world is only 6000 years old?

President Huckabee? No thanks.

[cws7]

lets let the VOTERS choose, not MSNBC or CNN or any of the rest of the "know-it-alls" at the press core. Did anyone even ask if Mr. Ron Paul a question during the debate? Or Huckabee, how embarrasing that WE HAVE LET THIS HAPPEN! I have to vote for Mike H. for a protest!

[candide777]

Jesus: "Mr. Huckabee, how many loaves of bread and fishes have ye that I may feed the people?"

Mike Huckabee: "Why don''t you stick this flag pole where the sun don''t shine, you minority, liberal freak! Get a job!"

[gkc99]

So the microcephalic set has spoken--Huckabee! Inbreeding shows!

[gkc99]

"How can any Republican vote against Romney? He would make such a great president!"--Posted by news4all


Because he''s a cowardly draft dodger who shirked service in the Vietnam war?

Oh wait, that only counts when it''s applied to Democrats!

Repugs can be just as ******** and the Neocon scum suck it up.

[alanrobisch]

So the microcephalic set has spoken--Huckabee! Inbreeding shows!


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Posted by gkc99 at 06:41 PM : Feb 05, 2008
+ report abuse

Are you a jerk or just a total jerk

[byeneocons]

Which Mitt Romeny should win? The Mitt Romney who was pro-choice pro-gay marriage to get elected in Massachusetts, or the Mitt Romney who is now an arch conservative spending ten million dollars on each delegate?

[gkc99]

Huckabee--shmuckabee! This tent revival meeting Holy Roller won''t stand a chance except in the sister-*** states. Bring him on, Repugs!

[drdixon2]

It is clear that McCain, Giulani and now Huckabee have joined forces to defeat Romney. Many keen observers have asked why Huckabee remained in the race and directed his criticism at Romney as opposed to the frontrunner, John McCain. We now know why--he has struck a backroom deal with McCain. Nobody should be shocked when Huckabee is selected as McCain''s running mate in the general election. Where is the straight talk now my friends? Welcome to modern politics--where ethics and integrity don''t matter. Lies, half-truths and backroom deals rule the process.

[cfin5]

"GOP appointments have dominated the Court for over thirty years, and yet abortion-on-demand is still the law of the land." ~Chuck Baldwin---------Isn''t it clear to conservatives yet that we''re just getting used? Come on over to the *** CONSTITUTION PARTY *** (constitutionparty.com) and leave the republiCAN''T party behind. Rockefeller owns it. It''s time to get to work, not wait around for them to do us some more :(

[alanrobisch]

He must have been taking lessons from the Bornagin Endtimer Holy Rollers. The Geezis crowd sure knows how to smear anyone with different beliefs, now don''''t they, ********?


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Posted by gkc99 at 06:57 PM : Feb 05, 200

Do you talk to your mother with that mouth and I am glad to see you don''t even know what i was talking about. MYob if you don''t haven''t anything better to say

[snapper4298]

Forget Hillbilly Huckabee... Paris Hilton''s got more chance of becoming the next American President than him.

And then one day he was shootin at some food... and up through the ground came awakening rude... you''re out... and take your hillbillies with ya.

[candide777]

I see the bigot has moved elsewhere. Do you get your jollies out of attacking other people''''s beliefs?
Posted by alanrobisch2 at 06:46 PM : Feb 05, 2008

Just callin'' a "spade" a "spade." Huckabee is on record, don''t you tell him that he''s being racist, and don''t you tell him what to do with his loaves and fishes -- he''ll tell you where to stick a flag pole, if you do! Typical kind-hearted republican "christian." He''d kick Jesus'' whining liberal as$ to Kingdom Come! Tell me where I''m wrong, I dare you!

[alanrobisch]

He''''d kick Jesus'''' whining liberal as$ to Kingdom Come! Tell me where I''''m wrong, I dare you!



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Posted by Candide777 at 07:08 PM : Feb 05

Your criticism is a good example of how not to have an intelligent discussion. When you can''t support the argument we attack the person just you are attacking mike huckabee. Just as I said earlier a little introspection would help but with the apparent anger you have against christians i doubt you would stop attacking people.

[alanrobisch]

Ever met a Southern Baptist Preacher that you could trust? Everyone of them have the personalities of used car salesmen, the biggest liars you will ever meet in your lives, aka: MIKE HUCKABERRY


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Posted by neoconism at 07:12 PM : Feb 05, 2008

Is this the smear christian board I could imagine if the same attacks focused on *** or women or blacks

[candide777]

Just as I said earlier a little introspection would help but with the apparent anger you have against christians i doubt you would stop attacking people.
Posted by alanrobisch2 at 07:13 PM : Feb 05, 2008

Oh, sorry, I guess I have to spell my argument out for you: Mike Huckabee is a racist-sympathizer and a moral coward because he would not tell South Carolina point blank, "You are being racist with your flag and God don''t like racism."

In fact, as a preacher, I''d say Huckabee is the perfect example of moral cowardice that we do not want to see in our White House.

Recall, Mike''s the one who said about S.C., paraphrasing, "If anyone told us what to do with our flag in Arkansas, we''d tell them what to do with the pole."

See -- moral coward -- too afraid to stand up against injustice.

[snapper4298]

There''s no triumph in becoming a POW. Anyone serving in the military can do that. McCain is parading around like it''s some kind of achievement, to garner more votes. Pathetic.

[candide777]

Is this the smear christian board I could imagine if the same attacks focused on *** or women or blacks
Posted by alanrobisch2 at 07:14 PM : Feb 05, 2008

No, no, you got it all wrong, we don''t hate the Christians, we just hate the hypocrisy, you know, "love the Christian, hate the Christian''s hypocrisy." You are confused. There is a difference between hating the Christian''s hypocrisy and hating the Christian. The Christians taught me that when they said, "love the homosexual, hate the homosexual''s sin." You see, that way you get to hate all you want and still go to heaven! Win! Win!

[stezzer]

Snapper4298

I''d rather Paris Hilton won. I''m sure she believes the world is more than 6000 years old.

[candide777]

Is this the smear christian board I could imagine if the same attacks focused on *** or women or blacks
Posted by alanrobisch2 at 07:14 PM : Feb 05, 2008

On another front, the "christian" lifestyle is a choice, so I am free to hate christians, to judge them as perverse and immoral, to deprive them of their civil rights, to criminalize their conduct (praying) and to encourage others to do the same. The Christians taught me that -- I''m gay_ and they did unto me as they would have me do unto them, I presume.

[floppydog1]

Mike Huckabee, the slimy rat, won West Virginia. I am not sure what that says about West Virginian''s. Okay, I shouldn''t be so naive. It says they are more stupid than I thought. How could people vote for this snake oil salesman? He is devisive, he is an oppoortunist, and he is a liar. As one republican, I am repulsed. A vote for the Huckster is a vote for Satan! I''m going to convert to become a democrat. Idiots.

[l8c6]

Huckabee has an incredibly dark view of humanity. Of course humans can be sinful but to hear Huckabee talk, humans are selfish creatures that essentially need to be regulated. Too bad right wingers like Huckabee don''t have that concern about multinational corporations that are threatening the freedoms of humans around the world. Apparently the top executives and shareholders of large multinational corporations that obscure the unique interests of individual communities are exempt from the evil qualities Huckabee sees in the common citizen.

It''s time for right wing preacher men and their followers to contend to their own useless loathsome existence. Right wingers must speak only speak for themselves and their hatred for the citizens of the United States and citizens of nations around the world.

[l8c6]

Right wing cult followers buy the line that the "liberal" enemy wants a nanny government.

Saying that multinational corporations must face no limit setting, that multinational corporations and the free market must not face regulation lest jobs be destroyed is a fear mongering dependency courtesy of the right wing satanists.

[snapper4298]

l8c6

"Right wing cult followers buy the line that the "liberal" enemy wants a nanny government."

Try living in England pal, believe me, the nanny state is a reality. And remember, the Clinton''s were big buddies of our current leaders.

No myth, a reality. Vote democrat and prepare to have your wrists slapped.

[snapper4298]

l8c6

"Hitler and his minions are in hell now with that wave of right wingers."

Hitler was a socialist. Read your history books.

[l8c6]

No myth, a reality. Vote democrat and prepare to have your wrists slapped.

Posted by Snapper4298

Where are you from, England?

No american will settle for a true "nanny" state. But the people of this nation need to be active in building a government that represents them.

This government has been taking care of a minority who wish to be our next government comprised of a King.

Early americans did not want a right wing king, americans do not want a right wing king or dictator at this time.

[snapper4298]

l8c6

I''m from Manchester, England. (in the North) I take on board what you are saying, but trust me, you don''t want anything like the clowns that we''ve got now.

[callenfallen]

I''d like facts on how Marc Ambinder knows McCain made a accussed phone call. Is his source Mitt Romney? I do not believe this is factual and like I said, Hillary might have a tissue for Mitt.

[l8c6]

This right wing communism, socialism stuff ...

Extremism is the enemy. It''s all evil if extreme. Extreme capitalism is not a holy thing period.

I''m fed up with the cult mouthed followers of the right winger neo con anti-humanity trash out of this nation. It needs to end.

There is much controversy around what Hitler was but one that he did espouse to along with Mussolini was merging state and industry and pitting them against the interests of the people. That''s what the right wing has done to this nation.

[l8c6]

I''''m from Manchester, England. (in the North) I take on board what you are saying, but trust me, you don''''t want anything like the clowns that we''''ve got now.

Posted by Snapper4298


elaborate, what do you mean? The clowns running England you mean?

[snapper4298]

l8c6

I''ll give you an example of nanny state.

Over here in the UK, a group of fireman came across some men having illegal s3x in some bushes. They shined their torches on them and told them to clear off.

What happened ?

The firemen had to go on a special educational course in how to treat g@y men. The g@y men were not prosecuted.

This is what we are sick and tired of. Socialist political correctness. Vote republican, I would if I could.

[j-whitman]

Howdy folks,,, Wow, this is the biggest turnout yet for democrat voters yet,,, 4 times today in my precint had to order more dem ballots & the polls don''t close for awhile yet.

[l8c6]

Many conservatives accuse Hitler of being a leftist, on the grounds that his party was named "National Socialist." But socialism requires worker ownership and control of the means of production. In Nazi Germany, private capitalist individuals owned the means of production, and they in turn were frequently controlled by the Nazi party and state. True socialism does not advocate such economic dictatorship -- it can only be democratic. Hitler''s other political beliefs place him almost always on the far right. He advocated racism over racial tolerance, eugenics over freedom of reproduction, merit over equality, competition over cooperation, power politics and militarism over pacifism, dictatorship over democracy, capitalism over Marxism, realism over idealism, nationalism over internationalism, exclusiveness over inclusiveness, common sense over theory or science, pragmatism over principle, and even held friendly relations with the Church, even though he was an atheist.

[l8c6]

What happened ?

The firemen had to go on a special educational course in how to treat g@y men. The g@y men were not prosecuted.

This is what we are sick and tired of. Socialist political correctness. Vote republican, I would if I could.

Posted by Snapper4298

Hey, I understand where you''re going but believe me, there is much more at stake than that voting republican.

What you are talking about is extremism. Voting republican has caused this nation incredible damage. Such issues as you cite will not happen here as a result of voting democrat. Sociopaths don''t like limit setting though. Sociopaths would like to be able to smash the skulls of those gay men and face no consequences. That shall not be allowed in a civil sane society either. Maybe the world should have to learn Zen Buddhism. Extremists need to eat sh*it.

[callenfallen]

Wow such powerful and uneducated language. Religion is not suppose to be considered for candidates so why keep it going. It all OK, God loves you. It''s only one state and maybe the corporate, business selling, cry baby will win a state of his own, if he didn''t buy it all ready. Democrates are the Union backed party and what has your union done for you, lately?

[snapper4298]

callenfallen

Shurrup clever clogs. That''s the wonderful thing about America. Everyone can have their say.

Oh why wasn''t I born in America?