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US rivals fight on after key day US rivals fight on after key day
(10 minutes later)
The main contenders in the race for the US presidency have come out ahead in Super Tuesday's key state votes, but none has delivered a knock-out blow. The main contenders in the race for the US presidency have made clear gains in Super Tuesday's state votes, but none has delivered a knock-out blow.
On the Republican side John McCain took a commanding lead, although outsider Mike Huckabee did better than expected.On the Republican side John McCain took a commanding lead, although outsider Mike Huckabee did better than expected.
For the Democrats, Hillary Clinton won the big-prize states of New York and California, but rival Barack Obama also secured many votes.For the Democrats, Hillary Clinton won the big-prize states of New York and California, but rival Barack Obama also secured many votes.
It was the biggest day in the race to pick candidates in November's election.It was the biggest day in the race to pick candidates in November's election.
The clearest winner was Senator McCain, who dealt a serious blow to his closest pursuer, Mitt Romney, by taking California.The clearest winner was Senator McCain, who dealt a serious blow to his closest pursuer, Mitt Romney, by taking California.
Mr McCain also won in New York, Illinois, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Missouri, Connecticut, Delaware, and his home state of Arizona.Mr McCain also won in New York, Illinois, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Missouri, Connecticut, Delaware, and his home state of Arizona.

Democrats

Hillary Clinton8 states, 582 delegates
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Arizona, California
Barack Obama13 states, 562 delegates
Georgia, Illinois, Delaware, Alabama, Utah, North Dakota, Kansas, Connecticut, Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, Alaska, Missouri2,025 delegates needed for nomination. Delegate totals are latest Super Tuesday projections from AP

Republicans

Mike Huckabee5 states, 147 delegates
West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee
John McCain9 states, 511 delegates
Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Oklahoma, Arizona, Missouri, California
Mitt Romney6 states, 176 delegates
Massachusetts, Utah, North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Alaska1,191 delegates needed for nomination. Delegate totals are latest Super Tuesday projections from AP

Democrats

Hillary Clinton8 states, 582 delegates
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Arizona, California
Barack Obama13 states, 562 delegates
Georgia, Illinois, Delaware, Alabama, Utah, North Dakota, Kansas, Connecticut, Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho, Alaska, Missouri2,025 delegates needed for nomination. Delegate totals are latest Super Tuesday projections from AP

Republicans

Mike Huckabee5 states, 147 delegates
West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee
John McCain9 states, 511 delegates
Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Oklahoma, Arizona, Missouri, California
Mitt Romney6 states, 176 delegates
Massachusetts, Utah, North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Alaska1,191 delegates needed for nomination. Delegate totals are latest Super Tuesday projections from AP
In most Republican races, the winner takes all the state delegates to the national party convention. In many Republican races, the winner takes all the state delegates to the national party convention.
New York alone comes with 87 delegates, while the others carry 205 between them.New York alone comes with 87 delegates, while the others carry 205 between them.
The Democratic race was as tight as forecast, although Mrs Clinton is ahead in the two biggest states.The Democratic race was as tight as forecast, although Mrs Clinton is ahead in the two biggest states.
In New York, she captured about 57% of votes to Mr Obama's 40%.In New York, she captured about 57% of votes to Mr Obama's 40%.
In California, with about a half of precincts counted, Mrs Clinton had won more than 50% of Democratic votes and Mr Obama about 39%.In California, with about a half of precincts counted, Mrs Clinton had won more than 50% of Democratic votes and Mr Obama about 39%.
But the Illinois senator took a greater number of states, including some in Mrs Clinton's north-eastern backyard.But the Illinois senator took a greater number of states, including some in Mrs Clinton's north-eastern backyard.
In terms of delegates captured, Mrs Clinton was only marginally ahead - under the Democrats' system of proportional distribution.In terms of delegates captured, Mrs Clinton was only marginally ahead - under the Democrats' system of proportional distribution.
Broad appealBroad appeal
Mr Obama seized the early momentum, taking Georgia and his home state of Illinois - both big states.Mr Obama seized the early momentum, taking Georgia and his home state of Illinois - both big states.
REPORTS FROM THE CAMPS McCain sees 'long way ahead'Excitement in Clinton campObama buys more timeSubdued mood at Romney HQREPORTS FROM THE CAMPS McCain sees 'long way ahead'Excitement in Clinton campObama buys more timeSubdued mood at Romney HQ
Georgia, with a large African-American population, was expected to fall to him - but analysts picked up on the racial breakdown in the vote.Georgia, with a large African-American population, was expected to fall to him - but analysts picked up on the racial breakdown in the vote.
In South Carolina last month, they noted, only 24% of white voters chose Mr Obama. In Georgia the figure was 43%, suggesting he may have broadened his appeal.In South Carolina last month, they noted, only 24% of white voters chose Mr Obama. In Georgia the figure was 43%, suggesting he may have broadened his appeal.
But Mrs Clinton rebounded, with wins in Oklahoma, Tennessee and Arkansas - showing, her campaign team said, that she could win in "red", (traditionally Republican) states.But Mrs Clinton rebounded, with wins in Oklahoma, Tennessee and Arkansas - showing, her campaign team said, that she could win in "red", (traditionally Republican) states.
Besides California and her home state of New York, she also took Massachusetts and New Jersey.Besides California and her home state of New York, she also took Massachusetts and New Jersey.
WHAT IS SUPER TUESDAY? 24 states holding simultaneous contests to help decide the Democratic and Republican presidential nominationsAbout 40% of each party's delegates - who will choose the candidate - are up for grabsKey states electing large numbers of delegates include California, New York and Illinois Justin Webb's AmericaIn pictures: Super TuesdayQ&A: What's next?WHAT IS SUPER TUESDAY? 24 states holding simultaneous contests to help decide the Democratic and Republican presidential nominationsAbout 40% of each party's delegates - who will choose the candidate - are up for grabsKey states electing large numbers of delegates include California, New York and Illinois Justin Webb's AmericaIn pictures: Super TuesdayQ&A: What's next?
Meanwhile Mr Obama added Utah, North Dakota, Alabama, Delaware, Connecticut, Kansas, Colorado and Minnesota.Meanwhile Mr Obama added Utah, North Dakota, Alabama, Delaware, Connecticut, Kansas, Colorado and Minnesota.
The Illinois senator told supporters: "We don't need the final results to know our time has come."The Illinois senator told supporters: "We don't need the final results to know our time has come."
Overall, voters were choosing 42% of those delegates on Super Tuesday.Overall, voters were choosing 42% of those delegates on Super Tuesday.
In each state's primary or caucus, successful candidates are awarded delegates who formally choose the party's nominee at the national convention in six months' time.In each state's primary or caucus, successful candidates are awarded delegates who formally choose the party's nominee at the national convention in six months' time.
'All the way''All the way'
After what has been widely seen as an exciting campaign, turnout was predictably high.After what has been widely seen as an exciting campaign, turnout was predictably high.
I think we must get used to the idea that we are the Republican Party front-runner... and I don't really mind it one bit John McCain Party split benefits McCainWinners not victorsConservative angstI think we must get used to the idea that we are the Republican Party front-runner... and I don't really mind it one bit John McCain Party split benefits McCainWinners not victorsConservative angst
Among Mr McCain's supporters at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, there was a mood of enormous optimism, said the BBC's David Willis.Among Mr McCain's supporters at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, there was a mood of enormous optimism, said the BBC's David Willis.
"I think we must get used to the idea that we are the Republican Party front-runner for the presidency of the United States and I don't really mind it one bit," Mr McCain told supporters."I think we must get used to the idea that we are the Republican Party front-runner for the presidency of the United States and I don't really mind it one bit," Mr McCain told supporters.
However it was Mr Huckabee who took the first state to announce a result, West Virginia, and went on to confound the polls which had put him in a firm third.However it was Mr Huckabee who took the first state to announce a result, West Virginia, and went on to confound the polls which had put him in a firm third.
Hillary Clinton fought back after early losses Clinton in New York Hillary Clinton fought back after early losses Clinton in New York
He won across the south, in Arkansas, where he used to be governor, as well as Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.He won across the south, in Arkansas, where he used to be governor, as well as Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.
Mr Huckabee hailed his "wonderful, wonderful win here at home" in Arkansas, saying: "We are still on our feet and much to the amazement of many we are getting there folks, we are getting there."Mr Huckabee hailed his "wonderful, wonderful win here at home" in Arkansas, saying: "We are still on our feet and much to the amazement of many we are getting there folks, we are getting there."
Mr Romney won in Colorado, North Dakota, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Alaska and Utah.Mr Romney won in Colorado, North Dakota, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Alaska and Utah.
The former Massachusetts governor said he was not about to drop out of the race and was "going all the way to the White House".The former Massachusetts governor said he was not about to drop out of the race and was "going all the way to the White House".