Tuesday, March 04, 2008

McCain looks to lock up nomination By Anne Ryman, The Arizona Republic




John McCain said he is "guardedly confident" he will earn enough delegates today to secure the Republican nomination.

Four states are holding primaries today: Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont.

McCain has a strong lead in the polls over former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and is 177 delegates shy of the 1,191 needed to lock up the nomination.

Today's primaries offer a combined 256 Republican delegates. Texas is the biggest prize, with 137 of its 140 delegates up for grabs.

McCain, who is in Texas for some last-minute campaigning, hinted he could have more information to offer about how he would pick a running mate after today's crucial primaries.

He also cast himself as more qualified than the Democratic candidates to handle a national-security crisis.

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