|
March 4, 2008: The Texas and Ohio Republican Primaries, along with Primaries in the states of Vermont and Rhode Island, are scheduled for today. Arizona Senator John McCain is the clear frontrunner for the Republican nomination. However, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee is yet to withdraw his candidature. Huckabee has won only two southern states from the Super Tuesday onwards. He has expressed his wish to continue the fight till a candidate gets the necessary 1,191 delegates necessary for the Presidential nomination.
Texas has a total strength of 137 Republican delegates. McCain is a clear favorite in Texas, particularly among the Hispanic community because of his liberal immigration policies. McCain was the co-author of the immigration bill, which would have considerably eased up the process of granting citizenship to thousands of undocumented immigrants. Although the bill did not ultimately materialize, yet it considerably enhanced McCain's popularity among the Hispanic populace, which makes up 40% of the total electoral strength at the Texas Primary.
Ohio has a strength of 85 Republican delegates. However, the state usually does not play a very decisive role in determining the nomination because of its late primary schedule. The last time Ohio played a decisive role in determining a Republican nomination was back in the times of Jimmy Carter. Although both the candidates have campaigned in this largely industrial state, yet McCain seems to be the frontrunner here as well.
The other two states holding March 4 Primaries are much smaller with a very modest share of delegates. Both Rhode Island and Vermont have a share of 17 delegates each.
|
|
