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Obama takes clear S Carolina win Obama takes clear S Carolina win
(19 minutes later)
Barack Obama has claimed a big win in South Carolina's Democratic primary. Barack Obama has won a big victory in South Carolina's Democratic primary.
With 92% of the vote counted, Mr Obama led Hillary Clinton by 55% to 27%, with John Edwards trailing in third on 18%. With 98% of the vote counted, Mr Obama led Hillary Clinton by 55% to 27%, with John Edwards trailing in third on 18%.
Mr Obama told a victory rally: "Tonight the cynics who believed that what began in the snows of Iowa was an illusion were told a different story." Mr Obama told cheering crowds: "Tonight the cynics who believed that what began in the snows of Iowa was an illusion were told a different story."
Correspondents say Mr Obama's win gives him a boost before Super Tuesday on 5 February, when 22 states vote for who they want to run for US president.Correspondents say Mr Obama's win gives him a boost before Super Tuesday on 5 February, when 22 states vote for who they want to run for US president.
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
Smiling broadly as he greeted cheering crowds at a victory rally in the state capital, Columbia, Mr Obama stressed a message of unity and hope. Smiling broadly as he greeted supporters at a victory rally in the state capital, Columbia, Mr Obama stressed a message of unity and hope.
Mr Obama captured the majority of South Carolina's black vote We are hungry for change, and we are ready to believe again Barack Obama
"The choice in this election is not about regions or religions or genders," he said. "It's not about rich versus poor, young versus old and it is not about black versus white."The choice in this election is not about regions or religions or genders," he said. "It's not about rich versus poor, young versus old and it is not about black versus white.
"This election is about the past versus the future.""This election is about the past versus the future."
He referred to his win in the early primary state of Iowa, saying that the faith Democratic voters had shown in him then had been borne out the result in South Carolina. Mr Obama referred to his win in the early primary state of Iowa, saying that the faith Democratic voters had shown in him then had been borne out the result in South Carolina.
The Clinton campaign issued a statement saying she had called to congratulate Mr Obama and wish him well. Looking forward to Super Tuesday, he went on: "In nine short days, nearly half the nation will have the chance to join us in saying that we are tired of business as usual in Washington, we are hungry for change, and we are ready to believe again."
Mrs Clinton's campaign issued a statement saying she had called to congratulate Mr Obama and wish him well.
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".
'Fierce battle''Fierce battle'
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. Mrs Clinton split her time between South Carolina and other statesIt 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.
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. In the days leading up to the vote, the battle between the two leading candidates showed 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.