McCain Predicts Victory at Rockefeller Rally

By RUSSELL BERMAN, Staff Reporter of the Sun
February 5, 2008

A fiery Senator McCain began his Super Tuesday bright and early today, predicting victory before a crowd of supporters at Rockefeller Center.

"We're going to win today, and we're going to win the nomination, and we're going to win the presidency," the Republican front-runner said, standing alongside his former rival, Mayor Giuliani, and a host of other state supporters at 7:30 this morning.

Mr. McCain spoke for about 10 minutes before heading across the country for a get-out-the-vote rally in San Diego this afternoon. He plans to watch the returns from his home state of Arizona tonight.

With leads in a majority of the 21 states holding Republican primaries or caucuses today, Mr. McCain could wake up tomorrow on the cusp of clinching the party's nomination. Helped by Mr. Giuliani's withdrawal and endorsement last week, he holds a wide lead in New York over Mitt Romney.

Mr. Giuliani, a one-time front-runner, had hoped to be in Mr. McCain's place today. But he appeared in good spirits, taking the stage and grabbing an "Irish for McCain" sign from a supporter. "Welcome to the St. Patrick's Day Parade!" Mr. Giuliani quipped, drawing laughs from the crowd. "Irish for McCain, all New Yorkers for McCain!"

Mr. Giuliani acknowledged the other major city event drawing the attention of New Yorkers today — a Super Bowl victory parade — urging the crowd to work in a trip to the polls around their support for the New York Giants. "I know you're all going to go to the Giants parade, right? Well, before you go, or after it's over, I want you to vote for John McCain for president of the United States."

While Mr. McCain led in New York, a poll released this morning suggested that Mr. Romney may have taken an edge in California, which could be his last hope at preserving a viable campaign. The Reuters/C-Span/Zogby poll showed the former Massachusetts governor with a seven-point lead, 40% to 33%. A SurveyUSA poll released today, however, showed a dead heat, with Mr. McCain holding a one-point lead, 39% to 38%.