McCain all the way!

1.12.42pm GMT Wed 5th Mar 2008

McCain secured the Republican nomination for President last night after winning in Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island.

In Texas he secured 51% of the vote, in Ohio 60%, in Vermont 72% and Rhode Island 65%.

ABC, CBS, CNN and the Washington Post's delegate counts all now put McCain beyond the 1,191 needed. Huckabee has also formally withdrawn from the race.

I must admit I have a soft spot for McCain he is by far one of the best Republicans with a long-record of being right on a number of big issues and taking the 'correct' position on things like campaign finance reform.

With the Democrat nomination still far from being deciding McCain now has an opportunity to make a lot of the running in the next couple of months.