MIAMI (AP) -
Sen. John McCain won a breakthrough triumph in the Florida
primary, seizing the upper hand in the Republican presidential
race ahead of next week’s coast-to-coast contests and lining up
a quick endorsement from soon-to-be dropout Rudy Giuliani.
McCain eased past chief rival Mitt Romney Tuesday night
following a tough battle in which the two traded accusations and
insults. McCain has now emerged as the clear front-runner going
into the Feb. 5 national contests that could decide the party’s
White House nominee.
"We have a ways to go, but we’re getting close" to the
nomination, McCain said in an appearance before cheering
supporters.
Giuliani, the former New York mayor, ran third. It was his
best showing of the campaign, but not nearly good enough for the
one-time front-runner who decided to make his last stand in a
state that is home to tens of thousands of transplanted New
Yorkers.
Republican officials said Giuliani would endorse McCain on
Wednesday in California. The officials spoke on condition of
anonymity in advance of the public announcement.
Romney, who has spent millions of dollars of his personal
fortune to run for the White House, vowed to stay in the race.
The Republican candidates were all headed to California for a
debate Wednesday night at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
in Simi Valley.
