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Pre-Primary Roundup

There are about four million registered voters in Massachusetts and state officials expect almost a third of them will head to the Primary polls today.

Secretary of State William Galvin says the climate this election year compares with the scene in 1980, "In that year you had the national climate as one of change and tumult, but in addition to that, you had some exciting races on both sides."

With tight races in both parties this year, it's the first time Massachusetts has scheduled its primaries on Super Tuesday. The candidates have spent more time and money than in past elections, courting voters in the Commonwealth.

This afternoon, Massachusetts' former governor Republican Mitt Romney will cast his vote in Belmont and then stay in Boston to watch the Primary results unfold.

At a campaign rally in Nashville yesterday, he said it's "narrowed down to a two-person race" but most Republicans want a conservative like him. He added, "I think they want to have a person who stands for conservative principles and for strengthening our nation. I do, I will, and I intend to win."

Romney's rival for the Republican nomination, Arizona Senator John McCain, visited Massachusetts yesterday. In Boston, he told reporters that he has "every good shot" of winning this state, "I hope we can do well enough to bring this process to a close. If not, we'd be prepared to continue on in the campaign."

Massachusetts is one of 24 states holding primaries today. 3156 delegates are up for grabs at polls across the country.

This program aired on February 5, 2008. The audio for this program is not available.

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