Washington, May 30 (IBNS): American billionaire businessman Mitt Romney has clinched the Republican Party's White House nomination by winning its Texas primary, paving the way for a November contest with U.S. President Barack Obama.
Obama, who will stand for a reelection representing the Democratic Party, congratulated Romney for winning the nomination.
Romney, who has built a campaign around his ardent support for a capitalistic economy, has promised to expedite the revival of the American economy with his experience in his managing investment firms.
However, the conservative candidate's opposition to gay marriage, socialised healthcare and environmental protection reforms has drawn criticism from civil rights groups and anti-Wall Street protesters demanding economic equality.
Obama's campaign meanwhile has been bolstered in recent weeks with data showing a declining unemployment rate and speeding growth. His open support for gay marriage has also been lauded by the America's liberal voters.
A recent poll conducted by Washington Post-ABC News has shown that around 49 percent people have said they are ready to reconsider Obama for re-election while around 46 percent said they supported Romney.
But even as the rival groups exchanged well wishes on Wednesday, a day after Romney's easy victory in the Texas primary, his appearance alongside business tycoon Donald Trump, who has been reviving long-discredited doubts about Obama's US citizenship, stirred controversy.
Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt said on Wednesday that the president had called Romney to congratulate him on securing the Republican nomination.
"President Obama said that he looked forward to an important and healthy debate about America's future, and wished Governor Romney and his family well throughout the upcoming campaign," said LaBolt.
