Senator John McCain secures the Republican nomination, Governor Huckabee withdraws with grace

The "magic" number, 1191, having now been surpassed, the Republican primary race is over. The elder statesman from Arizona, who not too long ago had been counted out by many, took the nomination of his party.

LOS ANGELES (Catholic Online) - Senator John McCain secured decisive victories in the Ohio, Vermont, Texas and Rhode Island Primaries Tuesday evening in the "Super Tuesday II" races, securing a total of 1,205 delegates.

The "magic" number, 1,191, having now been surpassed, the Republican primary race is over. The elder statesman from Arizona, who not too long ago had been counted out by many, took the nomination of his party.

This was John McCain's second effort to secure his Party's nomination for President. He lost to President George Bush in a contentious battle in the year 2000. His campaign limped along in the summer months of 2000. However, he did what was once considered unlikely. He came back.

Senator McCain entered the hall to thank his supporters to the theme from Rocky III. He thanked his wife Cindi who stood by him, his family and then gave a special commendation to "...my friend Governor Mike Huckabee". He thanked all of his former rivals and asked them for their support.

He told the exuberant crowd that "the most important part" of the campaign now stretched out before them. In the speech, Mccain attempted to juxtapose his positions on an array of international and national issues by with those of those of "his opponents". His effort was to paint a contrast between the two parties and to give his campaign a forward looking cast.

After repositioning his position on the Iraqi conflict, he ended the speech with fighting words asking those listening to "stand up with me and fight for America". He concluded telling his supporters "the contest begins tonight".

The former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, gave a gracious concession speech earlier in the evening, conceding the race by speaking to his supporters with his wife Janet at his side.

"I called Sen. McCain a few minutes ago," he said. "... I extended to him not only my congratulations but my commitment ... to do everything possible to unite our party, but more important our country....We stayed in until the race was over,"

He told the crowd that he had "played his best game", noting that he had called Senator McCain to extend his congratulations and pledge his support to unify the Party and the Nation. He said of the Republican nominee "he ran an honorable campaign because he is an honorable man".

After thanking his wife, his family, his staff and his supporters, Governor Huckabee quoted the Apostle Paul saying, "I fought the good fight, I finished the race, I kept the faith". He spoke of his commitments to the principles which brought him into politics.

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The former candidate then thanked the "little people" who had given him their voice, pledging to continue to be their voice. Included among them, he pledged to be a voice for the unborn.

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