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Q&A: What happens next? Q&A: What happens next?
(2 days later)
The outcome of super Tuesday left the key contests still undecidedAfter Super Tuesday in the US did not land the knockout blow that had been expected, BBC News asks what happens next. The outcome of super Tuesday left the key contests still undecidedSuper Tuesday was the biggest day yet in the race to pick candidates in November's US presidential election. But it failed to deliver a knockout blow in the Republican or Democratic races. So BBC News asks what happens next.
Who was the main winner?Who was the main winner?
The biggest winner on the Republican side was Senator John McCain, who won the majority of delegates up for grabs with wins in all the big states.The biggest winner on the Republican side was Senator John McCain, who won the majority of delegates up for grabs with wins in all the big states.
But former Baptist minister Mike Huckabee put up a surprisingly strong showing in the South to deny Mr McCain an outright victory.But former Baptist minister Mike Huckabee put up a surprisingly strong showing in the South to deny Mr McCain an outright victory.
However, Mr Huckabee dealt a fatal blow to the hopes of Mitt Romney by splitting the Republican vote.However, Mr Huckabee dealt a fatal blow to the hopes of Mitt Romney by splitting the Republican vote.
Mr Romney has now quit the race, effectively clearing the way for Mr McCain.Mr Romney has now quit the race, effectively clearing the way for Mr McCain.
How does Romney's resignation benefit the Republicans?How does Romney's resignation benefit the Republicans?
Mr McCain will gain if he can use a lull in the campaigning to bolster his finances, and rebuild bridges with the conservative Republican base.Mr McCain will gain if he can use a lull in the campaigning to bolster his finances, and rebuild bridges with the conservative Republican base.
The Republicans have been lagging far behind the Democrats in the amount of money raised to fight the presidential election.The Republicans have been lagging far behind the Democrats in the amount of money raised to fight the presidential election.
And they have had a far lower turnout than the Democrats in the primary elections so far, showing that Democratic voters are more enthusiastic about their candidates.And they have had a far lower turnout than the Democrats in the primary elections so far, showing that Democratic voters are more enthusiastic about their candidates.
If Mc McCain is still feuding with the Republican right by the time of the election, then it will be difficult to mobilise his votes to get out and vote.If Mc McCain is still feuding with the Republican right by the time of the election, then it will be difficult to mobilise his votes to get out and vote.
KEY FUTURE PRIMARY CONTESTS Washington: 9 FebruaryVirginia: 12 FebruaryMaryland: 12 FebruaryWisconsin: 19 FebruaryOhio: 4 MarchTexas: 4 MarchPennsylvania: 22 AprilNorth Carolina: 6 May
What about the Democrats?What about the Democrats?
Among Democrats there was no clear victor on Super Tuesday.Among Democrats there was no clear victor on Super Tuesday.
Hillary Clinton can claim a partial success by winning the big states of New York, California, and New Jersey, and running strongly in the Democratic heartlands. KEY FUTURE PRIMARY CONTESTS Virginia: 12 FebruaryMaryland: 12 FebruaryWisconsin: 19 FebruaryOhio: 4 MarchTexas: 4 MarchPennsylvania: 22 AprilNorth Carolina: 6 May Hillary Clinton can claim a partial success by winning the big states of New York, California, and New Jersey, and running strongly in the Democratic heartlands.
But Mr Obama won more states, and his surprisingly strong showing in pivotal states like Missouri and Minnesota demonstrated that he might have more appeal to independent voters vital for victory in the presidential election.But Mr Obama won more states, and his surprisingly strong showing in pivotal states like Missouri and Minnesota demonstrated that he might have more appeal to independent voters vital for victory in the presidential election.
And since the Democrats allocate delegates by using the share of the vote, not winner-take-all, the delegate race is more evenly spread.And since the Democrats allocate delegates by using the share of the vote, not winner-take-all, the delegate race is more evenly spread.
What of the contests since 5 February?
On 9 February, Mr Obama won three more states by wide margins - Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington state. He also won caucuses in the US Virgin Islands.
He had been widely expected to perform well and none of the wins were in major states, but they enabled him to draw within 15 delegates of Mrs Clinton, and the contests were seen as returning him the initiative in the race.
For the Republicans, Mr Huckabee beat Mr McCain in Kansas and Louisiana; victories that emphasised the work Mr McCain has to do to unite the more socially conservative sections of the Republican Party behind his campaign.
Where are the next battlegrounds?Where are the next battlegrounds?
For the Democrats, attention will now focus on forthcoming primary elections in big states such as Maryland and Virginia (12 February), Wisconsin (19 Feb) and especially Texas and Ohio (4 March).For the Democrats, attention will now focus on forthcoming primary elections in big states such as Maryland and Virginia (12 February), Wisconsin (19 Feb) and especially Texas and Ohio (4 March).
Mr Obama is favoured in Virginia, while Mrs Clinton is expected to do well in Ohio, given its blue-collar electorate.Mr Obama is favoured in Virginia, while Mrs Clinton is expected to do well in Ohio, given its blue-collar electorate.
Texas, the second-largest state, will be the key prize, with its large numbers of both Hispanic and African American voters.Texas, the second-largest state, will be the key prize, with its large numbers of both Hispanic and African American voters.
Beyond that, Pennsylvania (22 April) and North Carolina (6 May) are the last big states to decide.Beyond that, Pennsylvania (22 April) and North Carolina (6 May) are the last big states to decide.
If there is no clear victor after further primary elections, the Democratic nominee will have to be settled by a vote in the convention in August in Denver.If there is no clear victor after further primary elections, the Democratic nominee will have to be settled by a vote in the convention in August in Denver.
This could mean that Democratic delegates who were not elected, but are appointed party officials, may hold the balance of power.This could mean that Democratic delegates who were not elected, but are appointed party officials, may hold the balance of power.
Will the Democrats be damaged by a long campaign?Will the Democrats be damaged by a long campaign?
Many observers suggest that a long, drawn-out fight for the Democratic nomination could damage their candidate's prospects in the November presidential election.Many observers suggest that a long, drawn-out fight for the Democratic nomination could damage their candidate's prospects in the November presidential election.
Despite raising more than $100m each, both candidates are rapidly exhausting their funds in the primary battles across the country.Despite raising more than $100m each, both candidates are rapidly exhausting their funds in the primary battles across the country.
And the growing bitterness between them may have damaged their standing.And the growing bitterness between them may have damaged their standing.
However, the closely-fought primary contest is also mobilising more Democratic voters than ever before to pay close attention to the presidential race.However, the closely-fought primary contest is also mobilising more Democratic voters than ever before to pay close attention to the presidential race.