McCain edges closer to winning GOP nod

LANSING, Mich. -- Sen. John McCain, the presumed Republican presidential nominee, picked up a total of 50 GOP national convention delegates from Michigan and Louisiana Saturday.

Republicans met in both states to resolve how to divvy up delegates to the national convention in September.

Thirty-two of Louisiana's 47 delegates told The Associated Press they intend to vote for McCain, and three others also are expected to back him.

Likewise, a majority of Michigan's presidential delegates also say they'll back the Arizona senator now that primary winner Mitt Romney is out of the race, although it's still unclear how many will go to the national convention.

As a result, McCain has 903 total delegates nationally, according to an Associated Press tally. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has 245, while Romney's total dropped to 253. A total of 1,191 are needed to secure the nomination.

The McCain campaign said 43 of Louisiana's delegates have signed pledges to vote for McCain.

The Republican National Committee stripped Michigan of half its 60 delegates for defying party rules by moving its presidential primary to Jan. 15.