Even so, immigration remained a toxic issue in the Republican Party's primaries, in which almost every candidate vied to be tougher than the next on illegal immigration.

ECONOMIST: An interesting reversal in the Western hemisphere

If the American people want Representatives who have promised not to raise taxes, almost every Republican candidate fits that bill, so to speak.

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Mr Penn's strategy may have worked if the Democrats allocated all the delegates in each state to the winner (just as the electoral-college vote is awarded to the winning candidate in the general election in almost every state).

ECONOMIST: Hillary Clinton sacks her strategist, Mark Penn

The Conservative showing is almost certainly attributable to the Archer affair and there is every likelihood that candidate Steve Norris will see his fortunes improve.

BBC: Blair's mayor crisis

Political analysts probably see Bradley's height as an element that would be listed on the pro-running side of the ledger: in almost every election since political campaigning was transformed into a made-for-television activity, the taller candidate has won.

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