Profiles: U.S. 2008 presidential primaries, caucuses forerunners

Calender: U.S. 2008 presidential primary, caucus 

Backgrounder: Key players in 2008 U.S. presidential race

Backgrounder: U.S. presidential nomination process and Iowa caucus

Backgrounder: Major events leading up to 2008 U.S. presidential race

Special Report: U.S. presidential election 2008

    WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Florida Republican primary was boiled down to a fierce battle between John McCain and Mitt Romney as voters are heading to the polling stations on Tuesday.

    The southern state, whose primary rule is "winner-take-all," does not only mean a total of 57 delegates to a candidate, but also a strong momentum since it is the last major battlefield before Super Tuesday on Feb. 5.

    Arizona Senator McCain, who has won states of New Hampshire and South Carolina and leads the national poll, needs Florida to cement his status as frontrunner.

    Former Massachusetts governor Romney, on the other hand, is also engined to sweep the state on Tuesday to, at least, restore the tie with McCain and remain as a possibility in the race.

    "Romney and McCain are competing in Florida's crucial Republican primary as very different candidates, on very different GOP (Republican party) issues," CNN political correspondent Dana Bash said. "Romney, on the economy, as the multimillionaire businessman who says he knows how to fix it and says Senator McCain doesn't get it."

    However, McCain, with his rich experience in defense and foreign affairs in Congress, won most voters who share the same priorities.

    "McCain is playing the war hero, digging away at Romney's lack of national security experience," Bash said, adding the Vietnam veteran calls security and the anti-terror war the transcendent issue.

    Although competing on different frontlines, the two still have been caught in crossfire recently, talking back and fro over issues including Iraq war, economy, illegal immigration border security and environment. Their spat was aired in TV and radio ads.

    As the contest started to countdown, McCain and Romney grabbed the last minute to appeal to voters.

    Being accompanied by his chief supporter, Florida governor Charlie Crist, McCain said outside a polling station on Tuesday: "I'm feeling good. Endorsements matter."

    Appearing at a Monday campaign rally, Romney called voters who "want someone that understands how American works" to elect him and his team.

    However, due to the closed primary in Florida, where only registered Republican voters are allowed to cast ballots, McCain's prevalence among independent voters would be hampered. If he lose the Tuesday's race, a warning alarm will be set for him to win over the Republican base of conservative voters.

    Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, as the longest-term player in Florida campaign, is seen to have his fate hinge on the state's primary, which he has skipped other earlier primaries and caucuses for and concentrated his fund and time on.

    During a month Giuliani has lived in Florida, he tried to boost support with his national security agenda and experience during 9/11 as well as his plans for tax cuts.

    Iowa Republican caucuses winner, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who can hardly find his stake to lead in Florida, has moved on to other states where races will be held on Super Tuesday.

    Florida Democratic voters also cast their ballots on Tuesday in absence of any candidate's campaign. Because moving forward its primary date before Feb. 5, the state party lost all of its 210 delegates, as a punishment by the Democratic National Committee.

    Previous polls showed the lead of New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and analysts believe the result of the contest could still provide momentum to the former First Lady to win the Feb. 5.