World News Story

05 December 2008 10:48 BST

Obama and McCain win 'Potomac Primaries'

Barack Obama has won the Democratic presidential primaries in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

John McCain similarly is on course to make a clean sweep in all three of the Republican contests.

Mr Obama's three victories are set to put him ahead of Hillary Clinton overall in the race for delegates to select the Democratic presidential nominee.

Speaking at a rally in Wisconsin Mr Obama said: "The change we seek swept through Chesapeake and over the Potomac. We won the state of Maryland. We won the commonwealth of Virginia.

"And though we won in Washington DC, this movement won't stop until there's change in Washington DC – and tonight we're on our way."

The Associated Press news agency claims that the Illinois senator has now edged ahead of Ms Clinton in the battle to win the 2,025 delegates required for victory at the Democratic national convention in August.

Having taken 21 states, Mr Obama now reportedly has 1,187 delegates, while Ms Clinton, with wins in 12 states, has 1,180 delegates behind her.

Ms Clinton, who recently replaced her campaign manager, will now focus her efforts on the race in Ohio and Texas on March 4th.

In a speech on El Paso last night she said that her message would "sweep across Texas in the next three weeks".

"I'm tested, let’s make it happen," she said.

Mr McCain's victories have extended his lead over Mike Huckabee in the Republican race.

Mr McCain told a rally in Virginia: "We have come a long way in this campaign, and we have had our ups and downs.

"But as luck, that product of opportunity and industry, would have it we are approaching the end of the first half of this election on quite an upswing."

With 15 states and 789 delegates Mr McCain has a considerable lead over Mr Huckabee, who has claimed eight states and 241 delegates.