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February 5, 2008

Conn. primary: McCain has been working hard to win

HARTFORD, Conn. -- With the backing of Gov. M. Jodi Rell and support from independent Sen. Joe Lieberman, Arizona Sen. John McCain hoped for a win today in Connecticut's Republican presidential primary.

With early victories in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida, McCain emerged as the Republican front-runner and hoped to all but secure the Republican nomination today. More than 20 states, including Connecticut, held primaries.

"He's got more experience and I like his stand on the major issues," said Willard Ernst, 77, of Windsor. But he has doubts about whether Republicans can win the general election. "I think Bush has screwed things up too much."

McCain was the only Republican contender to campaign in Connecticut, visiting Fairfield on Sunday. His main GOP challenger, former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, attended a private fundraiser in Greenwich last May.

A January poll showed McCain had the support of 39 percent of Connecticut Republicans, followed by 16 percent for New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and 11 percent for Romney.

Giuliani dropped out of the race and endorsed McCain. Lieberman, who was re-elected to the Senate as an independent in 2006 after losing the Democratic primary, has also campaigned for McCain.

Turnout on Tuesday was expected to be heavy, despite drizzling rain and overcast skies.

McCain has long been popular in moderate Connecticut. In 2000, he narrowly won the state's Republican primary over then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who was born in New Haven and went on to win the GOP nomination.

McCain has returned several times since to campaign for Republicans in key congressional races.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 6:59 PM | Permalink

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