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Mississippi counts primary votes Obama 'wins' Mississippi primary
(9 minutes later)
Primary votes are being counted in Mississippi, as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama continue their battle for the Democratic Party's nomination. Barack Obama has beaten rival Hillary Clinton to win the Democratic primary election in the state of Mississippi, according to US media projections.
Exit polls suggest Mr Obama is leading in the state, which has 33 delegates to the August convention where the party will choose its White House candidate. Exit polls suggest he picked up the overwhelming support of the state's many African-American voters.
Mr Obama dismissed Mrs Clinton's offer to run as her vice-president. Mississippi has 33 delegates to the August convention where the party will choose its White House candidate.
Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, is on a nationwide fundraising drive. Senator John McCain, already the presumptive Republican nominee, is on a nationwide fundraising drive.
Mr McCain, who is set to secure the Republican nomination at the party's national convention in September after winning the backing of a majority of delegates, is under pressure to build up a campaign war-chest ahead of November's election.Mr McCain, who is set to secure the Republican nomination at the party's national convention in September after winning the backing of a majority of delegates, is under pressure to build up a campaign war-chest ahead of November's election.
Economic problemsEconomic problems
Polls in Mississippi closed at 1900 (0000 GMT). During a final stop in Mississippi before flying to Pennsylvania, Mr Obama pointed to the economic problems of the Mississippi Delta.
Exit polls for the Associated Press news agency suggest the state, with its large black electorate, will go to Mr Obama.
Mr Obama rejected the idea he might run as vice-presidentMr Obama rejected the idea he might run as vice-president
During a final stop in the state before flying to Pennsylvania, Mr Obama pointed to the economic problems of the Mississippi Delta.
"We just haven't seen as much opportunity come to this area as we'd like," he told people gathered at a restaurant in Greenville."We just haven't seen as much opportunity come to this area as we'd like," he told people gathered at a restaurant in Greenville.
"And one of the challenges, I think, for the next president is making sure that we're serving all communities and not just some communities.""And one of the challenges, I think, for the next president is making sure that we're serving all communities and not just some communities."
Mr Obama also dismissed Mrs Clinton's offer to run as her vice-president.
Mrs Clinton headed to Pennsylvania on Monday, reflecting the state's importance as the rivals' next major battleground.Mrs Clinton headed to Pennsylvania on Monday, reflecting the state's importance as the rivals' next major battleground.
The state is due to vote on 22 April, with 158 delegates up for grabs for the Democrats.The state is due to vote on 22 April, with 158 delegates up for grabs for the Democrats.
DEMOCRATIC DELEGATE RACE BARACK OBAMA: 1,579 Delegates won on 8 March: 7Total states won: 25 HILLARY CLINTON: 1,473 Delegates won on 8 March: 5Total states won: 16 Delegates needed to secure nomination: 2,025.DEMOCRATIC DELEGATE RACE BARACK OBAMA: 1,579 Delegates won on 8 March: 7Total states won: 25 HILLARY CLINTON: 1,473 Delegates won on 8 March: 5Total states won: 16 Delegates needed to secure nomination: 2,025.
Source: AP at 1215 GMT 11 March Can Clinton win?Source: AP at 1215 GMT 11 March Can Clinton win?
Mr Obama has 1,579 delegates in comparison with Mrs Clinton's 1,473, according to the latest tally by the Associated Press.Mr Obama has 1,579 delegates in comparison with Mrs Clinton's 1,473, according to the latest tally by the Associated Press.
The successful candidate needs 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination.The successful candidate needs 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination.
On Tuesday Mrs Clinton distanced herself from remarks made by Geraldine Ferraro, one of her fundraisers, who was quoted in a newspaper last week saying: "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position."On Tuesday Mrs Clinton distanced herself from remarks made by Geraldine Ferraro, one of her fundraisers, who was quoted in a newspaper last week saying: "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position."
The New York senator said she regretted the comments, and did not agree with them.The New York senator said she regretted the comments, and did not agree with them.
"It's regrettable that any of our supporters - on both sides, because we both have this experience - say things that kind of veer off into the personal," the New York senator told AP on Tuesday. "We ought to keep this on the issues.""It's regrettable that any of our supporters - on both sides, because we both have this experience - say things that kind of veer off into the personal," the New York senator told AP on Tuesday. "We ought to keep this on the issues."
Mr Obama had dismissed Mrs Ferraro's comments as "patently absurd", and David Axelrod, one of his senior advisors, had called on her to be removed from the Clinton campaign.Mr Obama had dismissed Mrs Ferraro's comments as "patently absurd", and David Axelrod, one of his senior advisors, had called on her to be removed from the Clinton campaign.
McCain medical checkMcCain medical check
Mrs Clinton attended a campaign rally in Scranton on Monday. She refused to be drawn on questions about a close political ally, New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer, who is alleged to have used a prostitution service.Mrs Clinton attended a campaign rally in Scranton on Monday. She refused to be drawn on questions about a close political ally, New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer, who is alleged to have used a prostitution service.
"I don't have any comment on that," she said when asked about allegations he had paid for sex with a prostitute."I don't have any comment on that," she said when asked about allegations he had paid for sex with a prostitute.
"Obviously, I am sending my best wishes and thoughts to the governor and to his family.""Obviously, I am sending my best wishes and thoughts to the governor and to his family."
Meanwhile, Mr McCain, who has raised less in election funds than either of his Democratic opponents, is touring the country as he seeks to fill his campaign coffers.Meanwhile, Mr McCain, who has raised less in election funds than either of his Democratic opponents, is touring the country as he seeks to fill his campaign coffers.
He was due to visit New York on Tuesday, followed by trips to Boston, Pennsylvania and Chicago.He was due to visit New York on Tuesday, followed by trips to Boston, Pennsylvania and Chicago.
Mr McCain had a medical check-up on Monday and declared to reporters that he was free of cancer.Mr McCain had a medical check-up on Monday and declared to reporters that he was free of cancer.
The Arizona senator has faced questions about his health after a bout of skin cancer in 2000.The Arizona senator has faced questions about his health after a bout of skin cancer in 2000.