FACTBOX: Quotes on McCain's Republican nomination

(Reuters) - Sen. John McCain of Arizona won the Republican presidential nomination on Tuesday after a sweep of the primary contests in Vermont, Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island gave him the required number of delegates. McCain's last major rival, Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, bowed out of the race.

JOHN MCCAIN

"I am very, very grateful and pleased to note that tonight, my friends, we have won enough delegates to claim with confidence, humility, and a great sense of responsibility that I will be the Republican nominee."

"The contest begins tonight. As you know, like all campaigns, it will have its ups and downs. But we will fight every minute of every day to make certain we have a government that is as capable, wise, brave and decent at the great people we serve. That is our responsibility and I will not let you down."

"Our campaign must be, and will be more than another tired debate of false promises, empty sound-bites, or useless arguments from the past that address not a single American's concerns for their family's security."

"The next president must explain how he or she intends to bring that war to the swiftest possible conclusion without exacerbating a sectarian conflict that could quickly descend into genocide; destabilizing the entire Middle East; enabling our adversaries in the region to extend their influence and undermine our security there."

MIKE HUCKABEE

"It looks pretty apparent tonight that he (McCain) will in fact achieve 1,191 delegates to become the Republican nominee."

"I extended to him (McCain) not only my congratulations, but my commitment to him and to the party to do everything possible to unite our party, but more importantly to unite our country."