Expect record turn outs today at the Florida Primary as a popular bill to increase the state’s homestead exemption is on the ballot as Republican Presidential Candidates John McCain, Mitt Romney and Rudy Guiliani square off for the delegate rich state in what is expected to be a tight race. Independents cannot vote in the Florida Primary, so McCain is at a slight disadvantage in that degree but winning the Florida Primary is the key to gain momentum in the Republican race. The Arizona Senator is going into Super Tuesday looking to steal the Guiliani playbook.
Our Rudy Guiliani source told us the former New York City Mayor believes he can pull out a victory in the Florida Primary today. Guiliani was out campaigning last night with actor Jon Voight, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Florida’s Attorney General Bill McCollum in Fort Lauderdale. Sportsbook.com has Rudy Guiliani at 10 to 1 odds to receive the Republican Party’s 2008 Presidential Nomination. Expect Guiliani to drop out of the race and throw his weight behind John McCain if he does not win Florida. Many believe Rudy could be on a short list of potential VP Candidates that also includes Condoleezza Rice. The current Secretary of State might be a good counter to Obama should the Illinois Senator get on the Democratic ticket.
As the current front runner with 4 to 7 odds to secure the Republican Nomination, McCain has to prove what he can do when independents are not voting, its a Republican fight in Florida. McCain is up 3 points in the polls since the endorsement from Florida’s popular Governor Charlie Crist was announced on Saturday evening. If the economy is the hot topic on the minds of Florida Primary voters they will go with Romney, if its security then McCain should be the victor.
“I appreciated the president’s honesty,” stated Presidential hopeful John McCain when asked to comment on President George W. Bush’s final State of the Union Address. The Arizona Senator told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews that the President could have made a call to service. Then Matthews asked what would you have done differently in the speech and one of McCain’s replies was “I would have given a little more urgency to the economic stimulus package. There is no reason the Senate cannot pass it this week!”
Whoever wins in Florida should wrap up the nomination and clean house going into Super Tuesday. “Change” is the bi-partisan message of the country but John McCain’s strategy is to run on his strong foreign policy experience and military record. McCain is labeling Mitt Romney a “flip flopper”. National Polls are breaking Mitt Romney’s way as the former Massachussets Governor courts the Cuban vote in Miami on the eve of the Florida Primary. Romney was wearing a Guayabera shirt stumping for votes from the Latino crowd in Little Havana.
Mike Huckabee has adopted Ron Paul’s “abolish the IRS” mantra in his Florida Primary commercial full court press on Monday night. Ron Paul should be able to grab some Hucksters once Mike drops out of the race after Super Tuesday. Texas Congressman Ron Paul a nice advantage to outlast the other lower tiered candidates and gobble up some of their support once they leave the race.
Conservatives in Northern Florida are saying that a vote for Huckabee is a vote for McCain so they are leaning towards Romney. Now Huckabee can go on his Easter Egg Hunt for delegates in another state because he does not have a chance in *ell to win Florida.
Point-Spreads.com reader James Johnson had this to say about Ron Paul Presidential Betting Odds:
“While I understand how odds are made, I just wonder why more people who are in favor of internet gaming (such as your readers or those who participate in this kind of betting) aren't more supportive of Ron Paul. I know all too often we get into the "shoot the messenger" mentality, and I know that you're just reporting the facts (something most Ron Paul supporters aren't used to the media doing). But again, back to my original question, why do you suppose people who participate in online gaming don't support Ron Paul more given his clear and unequivocal support of the activity. Thanks!”
Several people I know that gambling online plan on voting for Ron Paul in the Presidential Election should he be a candidate. Others have donated to his campaign or voted for him in their Primary or Caucuses. Thanks for your email James.
Sportsbook.com has posted political betting odds to win the Republican Party’s 2008 Presidential Nomination:
John McCain: 4 – 7
Mike Huckabee: 20 – 1
Mitt Romney: 7 – 4
Ron Paul: 25 – 1
Rudy Giuliani: 10 – 1
