Date:16/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/16/stories/2008021660541800.htm

Front Page

Hillary wins New Mexico

Hillary Clinton

ALBUQUERQUE (New Mexico): Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton finally won the popular vote in New Mexico’s Democratic caucus and picked up one more delegate on Thursday, nine days after “Super Tuesday” voting ended. State Democratic Chairman Brian Colon made the announcement after a marathon hand count of 17,000 provisional ballots that had to be given to voters on February 5 because of long lines and a shortage of ballots.

The final statewide count gave her a 1,709-vote edge over rival Senator Barack Obama, 73,105 to 71,396.

The former First Lady’s victory in the popular vote swung the final unallocated New Mexico delegate into her column, which gave her 14 delegates in the state to 12 for Mr. Obama.

With the addition of New Mexico’s delegate, the national delegate count stood at 1,276 for Mr. Obama and 1,220 for Clinton on Thursday.

Romney backs McCain

The former presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, on Thursday endorsed his former rival John McCain for the Republican nomination, setting aside weeks of bitter campaigning.

Mr. Romney, former Massachusetts Governor, withdrew from the race last week, citing the need for the party to unify behind one candidate in order to beat the Democrats in November 4 general elections. — Agencies