U.S. Primaries Reach Climax Ahead of Super Tuesday

Dynamics of both Democratic and Republican primaries are rapidly changing ahead of “Super Tuesday” on Feb. 5, when 22 U.S. states are scheduled to hold primaries.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was once hailed as Republican frontrunner, dropped out of the presidential race on Jan. 30 after failing to clinch a single victory in the past six primaries. He endorsed Arizona Senator John McCain, praising him as a candidate suited to be the Commander-in-Chief.

On the Democratic side, before Rudy Giuliani’s withdrawal, former North Carolina Senator John Edwards officially dropped his presidential bid in New Orleans, the city where he launched his campaign, saying, “It’s time for me to step aside so that history can blaze its path.”

▽ Battle between Hillary and Obama gets more fascinating

The end of John Edwards’ candidacy left the Democratic race a neck-and-neck battle between New York Senator Hillary Clinton and Illinois senator Barack Obama. Immediate attention was focused on who would benefit the most from Edwards` exit as he enjoyed 15 percent support nationwide.

When Edwards came in a distant third in the South Carolina primary held on Jan. 26, both Hillary and Obama were engaged in behind-the-scene negotiations with him to gain his support. But the former North Carolina senator has yet to make an endorsement.

There are conflicting predictions. Some forecast Hillary Clinton will garner support from white electorates since Edwards and Clinton divided white votes in the past four primary elections. In the South Carolina primary, Edwards gained 40 percent of the white votes while Clinton obtained 36 percent.

Others predict that Barack Obama is more likely to get Edwards’ support since, like Obama, he presented himself as candidate for "change” against the “status quo," referring to Hillary Clinton.

the two remaining Democratic candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, are scheduled to lock horns in the Democratic debate in Los Angeles on Jan. 31 (local time).

▽ McCain gets big boost from Giuliani

On the Republican side, John McCain, who clinched the endorsement of Rudy Giuliani, seems to be standing on a firm footing. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California where the most delegates (173) are allotted, is expected to throw his support behind the 71-year-old senator.

However, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney refuses to budge an inch and has tried to reverse the tide by raising the issue of “real conservative.” He aims to attack John McCain’s conservative credentials because McCain joined forces with Rudy Giuliani who leads the liberal forces in the Republican Party.

In fact, in the Florida primary held on Jan. 29, conservative electorates support for Mitt Romney doubled that of John McCain by 44% to 21%.

Pointing to the liberal New York Times’ official endorsement of John McCain on Wednesday, Romney assaulted him, saying, “You got endorsed by the New York Times because you’re not a conservative.”

▽ How much impact will independent candidates wield?

In the meantime, 2000 Green Party presidential nominee Ralph Nader, whose candidacy ended up ruining Democratic candidate Al Gore’s chances of winning the White House, thus giving George W. Bush the victory, is preparing his fourth bid for the presidency.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is also widely believed to be seriously considering his own presidential run as an independent. He bolted from the Democratic Party and became a Republican to run for New York City mayor in 2001. But after succeeding in reelection with the help of a 150 million dollar campaign war chest, he deserted the Republican Party last June.

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