Obama hat-trick keeps race open
Sunday, 10 Feb 2008 08:41
Good news for Barack Obama
Barack Obama's campaign for the United States presidency received a boost last night as Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington all voted to back him.
The result is a blow for New York senator Hillary Clinton but she retains her overall lead in the race for delegates, holding 1,100 compared to Mr Obama's 1,039 according to CNN.
Mr Obama won Washington and Nebraska with 68 per cent of the vote, substantial victories which appear bad news for Ms Clinton's campaign team.
Analysts had been looking to today's results as a potential indicator of the pair's fortunes after Super Tuesday, which saw Mr Obama win 13 smaller states to Ms Clinton's eight.
In the Republican race, second-placed Mike Huckabee took two vital wins in Kansas and Louisiana.
The latter vote was especially close, with Mr Huckabee beating Mr McCain by just two points on 44 per cent, but will come as an enormous relief to the pastor whose initial challenge had been seen to be failing.
The post-Super Tuesday round of primaries and caucuses continues later today in Maine, where Democrats will choose whether they prefer Ms Clinton or Mr Obama.
On Tuesday voters supporting both parties in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia will choose their preferences.