McCain poised for victory in New York
By: Evan Axelbank
Updated: January 31, 2008
Now that Rudy has said 'sayonara,' it's mono-e-mono for all of New York's marbles - delegates that is.
"In light of what happened in Florida, John McCain is on a roll," said Bill Nojay, radio talk show host and the chief of McCain's Western New York campaign.
"Does that mean the nomination is his? No."
But winning New York wouldn't hurt in McCain's bid for the White House. Around here, Bill Nojay is campaigning hard for the Arizona Senator, who at last check is leading big in most statewide polls. Those polls were taken with Rudy still in the race, but now, Rudy's statewide organization is expected to back McCain. McCain hopes lots of New York votes are headed his way.
"With the county chairmen and the state chairmen going with McCain, we're optimistic that next tuesday will be a very good day for John McCain in New York State," said Nojay.
McCain supporters have another reason to be optimistic. The Romney campaign has virtually no organization in Rochester. Neither the campaign, nor the county GOP committee, could find a single supporter to speak on behalf of Mitt Romney.
In a statement, Romney's campaign says they're continuing to build their grassroots organization across the state, but McCain supporters don't see how it can compete with their newfound Rudy-McCain organization.
"With those two campaigns coming together, I really don't know how Mitt Romney, with a six-day lead time, can counter that kind of momentum," said Nojay.
Romney may have to count on picking off delegates in states that aren't winner take all.
