In speech, McCain accepts front-runner status

Speaking the night of Super Tuesday, John McCain -- who appeared to hold his lead in the race for the Republican nomination -- gladly took on the mantle of a nominee-to-be.

Published February 6, 2008 6:04AM (EST)

Though the results of Super Tuesday's contests appear to have muddied up the picture of the pack below him, John McCain came away from the night still firmly in control of the race for the Republican presidential nomination. And in his speech Tuesday night, McCain made sure to emphasize that.

"Tonight, my friends, we've won a number of important victories in the closest thing we've ever had to a national primary," McCain began. "We've won some of the biggest states in the country. We've won primaries in the West, the South, the Midwest, and the Northeast. And although I've never minded the role of the underdog and have relished as much as anyone come-from-behind wins, tonight, I think we must get used to the idea that we are the Republican Party front-runner for the nomination for president of the United States."

Here McCain paused to accept the applause of his supporters, then smiled and added, "And I don't really mind it one bit."


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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2008 Elections John Mccain R-ariz.