Romney Wins...GOP Favourite Lacking

Mitt Romney won convincingly in his birth state, beating elder senator John McCain into second, to really throw open the nominations field for the Republican presidential nomination.

• Romney: 38.92%


• McCain: 29.67%


• Huckabee: 16.1%


• Paul: 6.27%


• Thompson: 3.7%


• Giuliani: 2.75%


• Hunter 0.33%

On the Republican side, as noted previously, Hillary's only danger was to be outpolled by the 'uncommitted' voters (ie not Hillary or anyone else on the ballot), and she saw that off easily, taking over half of the vote. The nearest actual candidate was Dennis Kucinich on 3.66%.

Update:
Romney's victory speech.

Guess what they're -- guess what they're doing in Washington?They're worrying.
Because they realize -- the lobbyists and the politicians realize that America now understands that Washington is broken and we're going to do something about it.

You see, America -- America understands that Washington has promised that they'd secure our borders, but they haven't.
Washington told us that they would live by high ethical standards, but they haven't.
Washington told us that they'd fix social security, but they haven't
Washington told us that they'd get us better health care and better education, but they haven't.
Washington told us they'd get us a tax break for the middle income Americans, but they haven't.
Washington told us that they'd cut back on the earmarks and the pork barrel spending, but they haven't.
And Washington told us they'd reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but they haven't.

And who is going to get the job done? We are.
[...]

American voters said that knowing how America works is more important than knowing how Washington works. And what we're going to see in the next few days is the Democrats saying that they're the party of change.
[...]
And I think they would bring change to the America -- just not the kind we want. You see, I think they take their inspiration from the Europe of old -- big government, big brother, big taxes. They fundamentally in their hearts believe that America is great because we have a great government. And we do have a great government, but that's not what makes us the best nation, the strongest nation, the greatest nation on earth. What makes this such a great nation is the American people. I take my inspiration from Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush.

Obama Concession

Obama is working is way through the crowd, and approaching the podium. He looks in a good mood still. U2's City of Blinding Lights is playing in the background.

Crowd still chanting O-Ba-Ma.

I love you back! I am still fired up and ready to go!

Barack congratulates Senator Clinton on her win. Speaks of views of a few weeks ago, where coming second would not have been possible, voters came out in record numbers for change.

In this election, there is something happening in America. There is something happening when men and women come in the snows of January for blocks because they believe in what this country can be. People young in mind and spirit, they know in their hearts that this time must be different.When they vote, they vote not just for a party but for their hopes, they are ready to take this country in a fundamentally different direction: Change is happening in America!

Crowd chants "We want change"

All of you who put some much heart and soul into this campaign, you can be the new majority, leading this country. We can disagree without being disagreeable. If we mobilise our voices, we can reach for something better, there is no destiny we cannot fulfil.Drug and insurance companies will get a seat at the table, but will not be able to buy every chair. Our new majority can end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. Pathways for success of kids, more pay and support for teachers. We can harness the ingenuity of farmers and scientists from the tyranny of oil and save the planet from the point of no return.

When I am President of the United States, we will end this war in Iraq and bring the troops home, we will finish the job against Al-Qaeda, care for veterans, we will never use 9/11 to stir up votes.

Praises other candidates, and patriots who serve the country honourably.

Our campaign has always been different because it's not just what I will do as President, it's what you, the citizens of the United States, the people who can do something to change it.Tonight belongs to staffers, volunteers, and organisers. No matter what obstacles stand in our, nothing can stand in the way of millions of voices calling for change. They will grow louder and more dissident in the months to come. There has never been anything false about hope.

A simple creed: Yes, we can.(Crowd...repeats and chants Yes we can)

It was a creed written into the founding documents, whispered by slaves in the night, sung by immigrants who pushed westward against the elements, women who reached for the ballot, and a king who took us to the mountain top, and said yes we can do justice and equality.Yes we can to opportunity, prosperity, to heal this nation, to repair this world.

Tomorrow we go south and west, struggle of textile workers not so different to the dishwasher in Las Vegas. We are one people, we are one nation and we will begin the next great chapter in American history, from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea with three words...Yes we can

Barack leaves to Stevie Wonders' Signed Sealed Delivered.