McCain wins S.C. Republican primary

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-21-2008 08:53

In the US, Republican John McCain is ahead, as vote counting winds up in Saturday's hotly contested primary in South Carolina.

John McCain, Republican Presidential Hopeful.(CCTV.com)

Republican party presidential hopefuls are now setting their sights on Florida where the next crucial contest will take place on January 29.

With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Republican Senator John McCain won 33 percent of the votes, beating former Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas.

John McCain, Republican Presidential Hopeful, said, "Glad to have won the endorsement of the majority of the Republicans in the state of South Carolina, and as we reminded people last night, and will probably several times more, the candidate that - for the last 28 years - that has won South Carolina has been the nominee of the party."

McCain says he expects to come under heavy criticism from his opponents in particular, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who has staked his entire candidacy on the race in Florida.

Rudy Giuliani, Republican Presidential Hopeful.(CCTV.com)

Rudy Giuliani, Republican Presidential Hopeful, said, "Well, I think the case for me is that I am the strongest fiscal conservative in the race, and that I have a record of supporting tax cuts. John (McCain) voted against the Bush tax cuts, I think on both occasions, and sided with the Democrats. I have great respect for John. He is a very good friend of mine. But in the area of fiscal conservatism, I think I'm the strongest fiscal conservative in the race."

Meanwhile, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney also went after McCain. Romney is seen as McCain's primary competition for frontrunner status.

Mitt Romney, Republican Presidential Hopeful.(CCTV.com)

Mitt Romney, Republican Presidential Hopeful, said, "If they want somebody instead who's been in the real economy over the last 25, 30 years, who understands why jobs come and why they go and understands what it takes to grow an economy, then I think I'll be their person."

Though McCain is enjoying some momentum following his South Carolina victory, the Republican race still has no clear frontrunner.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei