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Obama claims big S Carolina win Obama claims big S Carolina win
(30 minutes later)
Barack Obama has claimed victory in South Carolina, where Democratic Party supporters have been choosing who they want to run for US president.Barack Obama has claimed victory in South Carolina, where Democratic Party supporters have been choosing who they want to run for US president.
With 34% of the vote counted, Mr Obama led Hillary Clinton by 54% to 27%, with John Edwards trailing in third on 19%. With 77% of the vote counted, Mr Obama led Hillary Clinton by 54% to 27%, with John Edwards trailing in third on 19%.
Early analysis suggests Mr Obama took as much as 80% of the black vote, who make up about half the voters. Exit polls suggest Mr Obama was backed by 80% of the state's black voters, who make up about half the Democratic vote.
This is the Democrats' final test before Super Tuesday in 10 days' time, when more than 20 states will vote. Correspondents say this will give him a boost before Super Tuesday in 10 days' time, when more than 20 states vote.
Republicans have already held their poll in South Carolina, and are now campaigning for their next primary election in Florida on Tuesday.Republicans have already held their poll in South Carolina, and are now campaigning for their next primary election in Florida on Tuesday.
Psychological boostPsychological boost
Mr Obama claimed victory in the Democratic Party primary on his campaign website as the results were still coming in.Mr Obama claimed victory in the Democratic Party primary on his campaign website as the results were still coming in.
The Clinton campaign issued a statement saying she had called to congratulate Mr Obama. The Clinton campaign issued a statement saying she had called to congratulate Mr Obama and wish him well.
Some officials have predicted record turnout in South Carolina Mr Obama captured the majority of South Carolina's black vote
It went on: "We now turn our attention to the millions of Americans who will make their voices heard in Florida and the 22 states as well as American Samoa who will vote on 5 February."It went on: "We now turn our attention to the millions of Americans who will make their voices heard in Florida and the 22 states as well as American Samoa who will vote on 5 February."
Former President Bill Clinton, who has been campaigning on behalf of his wife, told a rally in Missouri that Mr Obama had "won fair and square" and added his congratulations.Former President Bill Clinton, who has been campaigning on behalf of his wife, told a rally in Missouri that Mr Obama had "won fair and square" and added his congratulations.
The BBC's Jamie Coomarasamy in South Carolina says the result gives an important lift to Mr Obama's campaign after consecutive defeats by Mrs Clinton in New Hampshire and Nevada.The BBC's Jamie Coomarasamy in South Carolina says the result gives an important lift to Mr Obama's campaign after consecutive defeats by Mrs Clinton in New Hampshire and Nevada.
It also sets the stage for a fierce battle between the two front-runners on Super Tuesday, he adds.It also sets the stage for a fierce battle between the two front-runners on Super Tuesday, he adds.
Mrs Clinton split her time between South Carolina and other states
Mrs Clinton spent part of the week campaigning outside South Carolina, signalling that she was not expecting to win there.Mrs Clinton spent part of the week campaigning outside South Carolina, signalling that she was not expecting to win there.
As the results came in, she was already on her way to Tennessee, one of the states voting on 5 February.As the results came in, she was already on her way to Tennessee, one of the states voting on 5 February.
Mr Edwards, a native of South Carolina who won there in his failed run for the presidential nomination in 2004, has failed to improve on his second place to Mr Obama in Iowa at the start of January.Mr Edwards, a native of South Carolina who won there in his failed run for the presidential nomination in 2004, has failed to improve on his second place to Mr Obama in Iowa at the start of January.
Voting in South Carolina was brisk, with some officials predicting a record turn-out. It was the Democrats' first primary in the South of the US, where black voters are likely to play a big role.Voting in South Carolina was brisk, with some officials predicting a record turn-out. It was the Democrats' first primary in the South of the US, where black voters are likely to play a big role.
'Nasty' battle'Nasty' battle
All three candidates made last-minute appearances in South Carolina as polling was under way.All three candidates made last-minute appearances in South Carolina as polling was under way.
Mr Obama greeted potential voters at a Baptist church, a historically black college and a restaurant in Columbia, while Mrs Clinton and daughter Chelsea stopped by a diner elsewhere in the state capital.Mr Obama greeted potential voters at a Baptist church, a historically black college and a restaurant in Columbia, while Mrs Clinton and daughter Chelsea stopped by a diner elsewhere in the state capital.
The idea of the first African-American nominee of a major party also is exhilarating, and so is the prospect of the first woman nominee New York Times Battle not black and whiteIn pictures: S Carolina votes Mr Edwards talked to voters at a restaurant in Mount Pleasant and called into a polling station.The idea of the first African-American nominee of a major party also is exhilarating, and so is the prospect of the first woman nominee New York Times Battle not black and whiteIn pictures: S Carolina votes Mr Edwards talked to voters at a restaurant in Mount Pleasant and called into a polling station.
He told reporters he would remain in the race no matter how he did in Saturday's vote, the Associated Press reports.He told reporters he would remain in the race no matter how he did in Saturday's vote, the Associated Press reports.
The battle between the two leading candidates has shown a touch of real nastiness, the BBC's Kevin Connolly adds.The battle between the two leading candidates has shown a touch of real nastiness, the BBC's Kevin Connolly adds.
Mr Obama accused Mrs Clinton of saying anything to get elected, after earlier accusing Bill Clinton of making false statements about him.Mr Obama accused Mrs Clinton of saying anything to get elected, after earlier accusing Bill Clinton of making false statements about him.
For her part, Mrs Clinton accused Mr Obama of never taking responsibility for any vote he cast.For her part, Mrs Clinton accused Mr Obama of never taking responsibility for any vote he cast.
Correspondents say both parties' contests for the presidential nomination are so close that they could continue for weeks after Super Tuesday this year.Correspondents say both parties' contests for the presidential nomination are so close that they could continue for weeks after Super Tuesday this year.
Once the candidate for each party has been selected, they will compete head-to-head to win the presidential election in November.Once the candidate for each party has been selected, they will compete head-to-head to win the presidential election in November.