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Mitt Romney scores big Florida primary win Mitt Romney scores big Florida primary win
(40 minutes later)
US presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has won a clear victory in the Republican primary election in Florida, partial results indicate.US presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has won a clear victory in the Republican primary election in Florida, partial results indicate.
With 82% of votes counted after polling ended in Florida, Mr Romney has 47%, with rival Newt Gingrich on 32%.With 82% of votes counted after polling ended in Florida, Mr Romney has 47%, with rival Newt Gingrich on 32%.
Florida's primary is the biggest of the 2012 election season so far and saw a bitter TV ad battle from both men, as they seek to take on Barack Obama.Florida's primary is the biggest of the 2012 election season so far and saw a bitter TV ad battle from both men, as they seek to take on Barack Obama.
Exit polls indicated the economy was the key issue for a majority of voters.Exit polls indicated the economy was the key issue for a majority of voters.
Mr Romney and Mr Gingrich, plus Rick Santorum and Ron Paul, are seeking to become the Republican nominee and challenge Mr Obama in November's general election.Mr Romney and Mr Gingrich, plus Rick Santorum and Ron Paul, are seeking to become the Republican nominee and challenge Mr Obama in November's general election.
On results declared so far, Mr Santorum has polled 13% and Mr Paul 7%.On results declared so far, Mr Santorum has polled 13% and Mr Paul 7%.
A victory for Mr Romney in the Sunshine State gives him his second win, after the New Hampshire primary, since the race began earlier this month with Iowa's caucuses.A victory for Mr Romney in the Sunshine State gives him his second win, after the New Hampshire primary, since the race began earlier this month with Iowa's caucuses.
It is worth 50 state delegates towards the total of 1,144 which a candidate needs to win the nomination.It is worth 50 state delegates towards the total of 1,144 which a candidate needs to win the nomination.
'Get out of the way''Get out of the way'
Addressing his supporters after his win, Mr Romney promised to offer a "winning ticket for America" at the general election in November.Addressing his supporters after his win, Mr Romney promised to offer a "winning ticket for America" at the general election in November.
href="/news/special/world/us_and_canada/11/republican_primaries/state_election_tables/css/table.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" /> Mitt Romney proved himself quite an operator. He crushed Newt Gingrich with a series of very negative TV adverts, attacking the former speaker's character and suitability to be president. He showed some fire in the debate.
But above all this came down to money. He spent at least $16m in Florida in the last month alone. He put out 13,000 TV ads. Gingrich had around 200.
By contrast Newt Gingrich pulled his punches in the debates, tried to be presidential and just didn't make much impact. He drew back, to an extent, from attacking the way Romney made his money. He repeated the charges, added to them a little, but then pulled back.
"A competitive primary does not divide us, it unites us and we will win," said Mr Romney, paying tribute to his three opponents in Florida."A competitive primary does not divide us, it unites us and we will win," said Mr Romney, paying tribute to his three opponents in Florida.
He challenged President Obama on his record on the economy and unemployment, telling him: "Now it's time for you to get out of the way."He challenged President Obama on his record on the economy and unemployment, telling him: "Now it's time for you to get out of the way."
"My leadership will end the Obama era and begin a new era of American prosperity," he said, to cheers and applause."My leadership will end the Obama era and begin a new era of American prosperity," he said, to cheers and applause.
He promised to spend government spending and balance the national budget, if he won power.He promised to spend government spending and balance the national budget, if he won power.
Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator who came in third, said Newt Gingrich "had his opportunity" in Florida after a big win in South Carolina 10 days ago.Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator who came in third, said Newt Gingrich "had his opportunity" in Florida after a big win in South Carolina 10 days ago.
But his personality and record became the issue, Mr Santorum said, something that would not help the Republicans in the long run.But his personality and record became the issue, Mr Santorum said, something that would not help the Republicans in the long run.
Sarah Palin's supportSarah Palin's support
The two main rivals waged an increasingly bitter personal battle in Florida.The two main rivals waged an increasingly bitter personal battle in Florida.
Mr Romney told a large crowd in Dunedin on Monday: "I know, it's sad. He's [Mr Gingrich's] been flailing around a bit trying to go after me for one thing or the other. You just watch it and you shake your head. It's been kind of painfully revealing."Mr Romney told a large crowd in Dunedin on Monday: "I know, it's sad. He's [Mr Gingrich's] been flailing around a bit trying to go after me for one thing or the other. You just watch it and you shake your head. It's been kind of painfully revealing."
In a state with many Jewish retirees, Mr Gingrich said on Monday that Mr Romney, as governor of Massachusetts, had vetoed funding for kosher meals under the Medicare programme for the elderly.In a state with many Jewish retirees, Mr Gingrich said on Monday that Mr Romney, as governor of Massachusetts, had vetoed funding for kosher meals under the Medicare programme for the elderly.
Mr Romney, 64, has been the front-runner for much of the race, but was thrashed by his rival in South Carolina's primary earlier this month.Mr Romney, 64, has been the front-runner for much of the race, but was thrashed by his rival in South Carolina's primary earlier this month.
The former governor has since overturned his rival's lead after two muscular debate performances and a blitz of attacks.The former governor has since overturned his rival's lead after two muscular debate performances and a blitz of attacks.
Mr Romney and his allies have pumped more than $14m (£9m) into Florida TV advertising, mainly attacking Mr Gingrich, whose campaign and supporters could only spend about $3m in reply.Mr Romney and his allies have pumped more than $14m (£9m) into Florida TV advertising, mainly attacking Mr Gingrich, whose campaign and supporters could only spend about $3m in reply.
The Romney campaign has sought to portray Mr Gingrich as an erratic, Washington influence-peddler.The Romney campaign has sought to portray Mr Gingrich as an erratic, Washington influence-peddler.
US politics glossary Use the dropdown for easy-to-understand explanations of political terms:
Air war The battle between candidates to get as much advertising on television and radio as possible. In recent years, online adverts, which are cheaper and can be more carefully targeted, have grown increasingly important. Glossary in full		 US politics glossary Use the dropdown for easy-to-understand explanations of political terms:
Air war The battle between candidates to get as much advertising on television and radio as possible. In recent years, online adverts, which are cheaper and can be more carefully targeted, have grown increasingly important. Glossary in full
Mr Gingrich, 68, a former Georgia congressman, has accused Mr Romney - a private equity tycoon and one of the richest ever US presidential candidates - of being a closet liberal who is trying to buy his way to the White House.Mr Gingrich, 68, a former Georgia congressman, has accused Mr Romney - a private equity tycoon and one of the richest ever US presidential candidates - of being a closet liberal who is trying to buy his way to the White House.
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin had urged Florida voters to back Mr Gingrich, and keep the contest going.Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin had urged Florida voters to back Mr Gingrich, and keep the contest going.
Mr Romney has a better-funded campaign, a superior national organisation and the backing of much of the Republican establishment. A series of polls has indicated he stands the best chance of beating Barack Obama.Mr Romney has a better-funded campaign, a superior national organisation and the backing of much of the Republican establishment. A series of polls has indicated he stands the best chance of beating Barack Obama.
But he has struggled to dispel misgivings among some conservatives about his Mormon faith and political record as governor of a liberal state.But he has struggled to dispel misgivings among some conservatives about his Mormon faith and political record as governor of a liberal state.
In the past, Mr Romney has switched stances on abortion, gay rights and gun control, and passed a healthcare reform in Massachusetts that was the template for President Obama's overhaul of the system nationally.In the past, Mr Romney has switched stances on abortion, gay rights and gun control, and passed a healthcare reform in Massachusetts that was the template for President Obama's overhaul of the system nationally.
The next contest after Florida will be on Saturday in Nevada, which Mr Romney won easily during his first run for the White House in 2008.The next contest after Florida will be on Saturday in Nevada, which Mr Romney won easily during his first run for the White House in 2008.
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