U.S. television networks project former Massachusetts governor Mitt
Romney has swept all three Republican presidential primary elections
Tuesday — in Washington DC, the eastern state of Maryland, and the
midwestern state of Wisconsin.
Tuesday's victories bring him another step closer to having enough
delegates to become the Republican Party's choice to take on President
Barack Obama, a Democrat, in the November general election.
Romney already has about half the number of delegates needed for the
nomination. He has also been endorsed by such major Republicans as
former President George H.W. Bush.
But Romney's Republican challengers — Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, and
Ron Paul — have given no signs they are ready to drop out of the race.
Santorum, a former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, is hoping his home
state's primary later this month will give him a badly needed boost.
He
told supporters in Pennsylvania Tuesday night that the Republican race
is only at the halfway mark and says he plans to come out charging into
the second half.
Meanwhile, President Obama is already anticipating a November showdown
against Romney. In a speech to newspaper executives Tuesday, Mr. Obama
denounced a Republican budget plan backed by Romney, saying it would
impose “a radical vision” on the country.
Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have
also criticized Romney, and Democratic “attack ads” targeting Romney
also have been appearing on radio and television.
