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McCain Savors His Victory In South Carolina

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By TOM RAUM, The Associated Press

Published: January 20, 2008

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Sen. John McCain savored his victory Saturday in the state that derailed his 2000 presidential bid.

"We are on our way tonight," he declared as he set his sights on Florida, the next crucial contest. "I feel very good about our chances."

McCain celebrated his close victory over former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in a state that has been an essential step over the past two decades toward winning the GOP presidential nomination.

"Thank you, my friends, and thank you, South Carolina, for bringing us across the finish line first in the first-in-the-South primary. It took us a while. But what's eight years among friends?" McCain told a boisterous crowd of supporters on the campus of The Citadel. He stood onstage with his wife, Cindy, as the crowd chanted, "Mac is back, Mac is back."

"I'm very grateful," McCain said in an interview with The Associated Press. "It just took us a while, that's all. Eight years is not a long time."

The Arizonan was garnering 33 percent of the vote to just less than 30 percent for his closest rival.

Appearing before supporters, Huckabee was a gracious loser, congratulating McCain for "running a civil and a good and a decent campaign."

Far from conceding defeat in the race, he added, "The process is far, far from over."

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson was in a struggle for third place with about 16 percent, after saying he needed a strong showing to sustain his candidacy. Another Republican, California Rep. Duncan Hunter, dropped out before the votes were tallied.

Still, McCain said in the AP interview, "We've got a long way to go." He said the South Carolina victory was key, giving him "a very important progress that we can carry right through Florida and into February 5th." Florida votes Jan. 29, followed by contests in 22 states on Feb. 5.

McCain's victory, his second after winning the New Hampshire primary, helped him reclaim momentum that had been slowed by his second-place finish to Mitt Romney in Michigan.

His 2000 quest for the presidency ended in South Carolina with a victory by then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush after a McCain victory in New Hampshire.

Asked whether he was now the front-runner for the GOP nomination, McCain demurred.

"I don't know," he said, "we like to run from behind." He did express optimism. "I'm very confident that we'll win in Florida," he said.

"I am aware that for the last 28 years, the winner of the South Carolina primary has been the nominee of our party," he told supporters. "We have a ways to go, of course. There are some tough contests ahead, starting tomorrow in the state of Florida. But, my friends, we are well on our way tonight. And I feel very good about our chances."

McCain flies to Florida today.

SOUTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

Saturday's primary election in South Carolina involved Republican candidates only. Votes for Democratic candidates will be cast Saturday.

At stake: 45 Democratic delegates

Polls show: Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama are tied in several polls; one has Clinton ahead, another has Obama ahead.

2004: President Bush won the state with 53 percent in the presidential election.

Source: The Associated Press

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