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The latest from our Blue Ridge Caucus politics blog

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From The Roanoke Times

• 'Personhood' bill set for vote today
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ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Republicans have nominated Sen. John McCain for president, handing the senator the prize that eluded him eight years ago.

By a roll call vote Wednesday, the Arizona senator clinched his party's nod. The late-night vote was conducted after vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin addressed the Republican National Convention.

McCain is scheduled to accept the nomination in a speech Thursday night. He heads into a competitive fall campaign against Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

If elected, the 72-year-old McCain would be the oldest first-term president.