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Obama wins Virginia primary poll Obama wins Virginia primary poll
(10 minutes later)
Barack Obama has won the Democratic primary in Virginia, according to US media projections based on exit polls.Barack Obama has won the Democratic primary in Virginia, according to US media projections based on exit polls.
The result will be a blow to Hillary Clinton, who stood her best chance in Virginia. Polls remain open in Maryland but have closed in Washington DC.The result will be a blow to Hillary Clinton, who stood her best chance in Virginia. Polls remain open in Maryland but have closed in Washington DC.
Senator Clinton is looking ahead to primaries in Ohio and Texas on 4 March in the hope of reversing her fortunes.Senator Clinton is looking ahead to primaries in Ohio and Texas on 4 March in the hope of reversing her fortunes.
For the Republicans, John McCain won an unexpectedly close race with Mike Huckabee, according to projections.For the Republicans, John McCain won an unexpectedly close race with Mike Huckabee, according to projections.
With results counted in 61% of Virginia's precincts, Mr McCain led by 47% to Mr Huckabee's 44%.With results counted in 61% of Virginia's precincts, Mr McCain led by 47% to Mr Huckabee's 44%.
A victory means he will claim all of the winner-take-all state's 60 delegates, extending his significant lead in terms of the number of delegates who will vote for him at the party's national convention.A victory means he will claim all of the winner-take-all state's 60 delegates, extending his significant lead in terms of the number of delegates who will vote for him at the party's national convention.
I may be skinny, but I'm tough, too - I'm looking forward to mixing it up with John McCain Barack Obama In pictures: Potomac PrimaryPrimary may prove pivotalElections come to Culpeper But correspondents say Mr McCain still has some work to do to unite his party, amid continuing criticisms from leading party members who have questioned his conservative credentials.I may be skinny, but I'm tough, too - I'm looking forward to mixing it up with John McCain Barack Obama In pictures: Potomac PrimaryPrimary may prove pivotalElections come to Culpeper But correspondents say Mr McCain still has some work to do to unite his party, amid continuing criticisms from leading party members who have questioned his conservative credentials.
Mr Huckabee has been under pressure to stand aside for the sake of party unity, but has so far said he has no intention of pulling out.Mr Huckabee has been under pressure to stand aside for the sake of party unity, but has so far said he has no intention of pulling out.
Exit polls suggest he won the support of very conservative voters in Virginia by nearly a 3 to 1 margin, while Mr McCain was backed by somewhat conservative and moderate Republicans.Exit polls suggest he won the support of very conservative voters in Virginia by nearly a 3 to 1 margin, while Mr McCain was backed by somewhat conservative and moderate Republicans.
Halfway thereHalfway there
Polls have closed in Virginia and the District of Columbia.Polls have closed in Virginia and the District of Columbia.
The head of elections in Maryland said a judge had extended voting for 90 minutes - until 2130 ET (0230 GMT) - because of traffic problems caused by bad weatherThe head of elections in Maryland said a judge had extended voting for 90 minutes - until 2130 ET (0230 GMT) - because of traffic problems caused by bad weather
Baltimore voters give their views ahead of primary elections in MarylandIn pictures In Virginia, Mr Obama was leading by 62% to Mrs Clinton's 37%, with 64% of precincts reporting.Baltimore voters give their views ahead of primary elections in MarylandIn pictures In Virginia, Mr Obama was leading by 62% to Mrs Clinton's 37%, with 64% of precincts reporting.
Mrs Clinton's deputy campaign manager has reportedly stepped down following the results, in a shake-up coming only a day after her campaign manager was replaced.Mrs Clinton's deputy campaign manager has reportedly stepped down following the results, in a shake-up coming only a day after her campaign manager was replaced.
Exit polls conducted for the Associated Press in Virginia suggested Mr Obama had won the support of two-thirds of men and almost six in 10 women.Exit polls conducted for the Associated Press in Virginia suggested Mr Obama had won the support of two-thirds of men and almost six in 10 women.
Nine in 10 black voters in Virginia backed the Illinois senator, according to the exit polls, an even bigger margin than in previous primaries. They made up about three in 10 of the state's voters.Nine in 10 black voters in Virginia backed the Illinois senator, according to the exit polls, an even bigger margin than in previous primaries. They made up about three in 10 of the state's voters.
Exit polls also indicated Mr Obama had made gains with women voters, who have been a core constituency for Mrs Clinton in past contests, and with white men.Exit polls also indicated Mr Obama had made gains with women voters, who have been a core constituency for Mrs Clinton in past contests, and with white men.

Democrats

Hillary Clinton12 states, 1,151 delegates
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee
Barack Obama20 states, 1,131 delegates
Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Washington state2,025 delegates needed for nomination. Source AP (includes all kinds of delegates)Q&A: US election delegates

Republicans

Mike Huckabee8 states, 241 delegates
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kansas, Louisiana
John McCain13 states, 729 delegates
New Hampshire, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington state
Mitt Romney11 states, 288 delegates
Campaign suspendedAlaska, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Wyoming, Utah1,191 delegates needed for nomination. Source: AP (includes all kinds of delegates)

Democrats

Hillary Clinton12 states, 1,164 delegates
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee
Barack Obama20 states, 1,154 delegates
Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Washington state2,025 delegates needed for nomination. Source AP (includes all kinds of delegates)Q&A: US election delegates

Republicans

Mike Huckabee8 states, 241 delegates
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kansas, Louisiana
John McCain13 states, 789 delegates
New Hampshire, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington state
Mitt Romney11 states, 288 delegates
Campaign suspendedAlaska, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Wyoming, Utah1,191 delegates needed for nomination. Source: AP (includes all kinds of delegates)
Each Democratic candidate is about halfway to winning the 2,025 delegates needed to secure victory at the party's national convention in August.Each Democratic candidate is about halfway to winning the 2,025 delegates needed to secure victory at the party's national convention in August.
Virginia has 83 delegates up for grabs, while Maryland offers 70 and Washington DC has 15.Virginia has 83 delegates up for grabs, while Maryland offers 70 and Washington DC has 15.
A win for Mr Obama in Virginia might put him ahead of Mrs Clinton in the delegate count.A win for Mr Obama in Virginia might put him ahead of Mrs Clinton in the delegate count.
Both candidates campaigned hard in the region on Monday.Both candidates campaigned hard in the region on Monday.
Mrs Clinton told General Motors staff in Baltimore County, Maryland, that her experience would be key in the battle for the presidency with Senator McCain.Mrs Clinton told General Motors staff in Baltimore County, Maryland, that her experience would be key in the battle for the presidency with Senator McCain.
"A lot of these fights are fights you have to have," she said, according to the Washington Post. "You can't walk away from them.""A lot of these fights are fights you have to have," she said, according to the Washington Post. "You can't walk away from them."
But Mr Obama said he, too, was ready for the fight. "I may be skinny, but I'm tough, too. I'm looking forward to mixing it up with John McCain," the newspaper quoted him as saying.But Mr Obama said he, too, was ready for the fight. "I may be skinny, but I'm tough, too. I'm looking forward to mixing it up with John McCain," the newspaper quoted him as saying.
NEXT CONTESTS 19 Feb: Wisconsin (bi-party), Hawaii caucuses (R)2 March: Hawaii caucus (D)4 March: Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont (bi-party) Send us your commentsCastro in spat with McCainNEXT CONTESTS 19 Feb: Wisconsin (bi-party), Hawaii caucuses (R)2 March: Hawaii caucus (D)4 March: Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont (bi-party) Send us your commentsCastro in spat with McCain
Exit polls indicated that the economy was the top issue for both Democratic and Republican voters in the so-called "Potomac primary", named after the river that runs through the two states and the nation's capital.Exit polls indicated that the economy was the top issue for both Democratic and Republican voters in the so-called "Potomac primary", named after the river that runs through the two states and the nation's capital.
The contests follow Mr Obama's weekend victories in Washington state, Louisiana, Nebraska, Maine and the US Virgin Islands.The contests follow Mr Obama's weekend victories in Washington state, Louisiana, Nebraska, Maine and the US Virgin Islands.
Mrs Clinton was given a potential boost on Tuesday with the endorsement of former astronaut and former Ohio Senator John Glenn.Mrs Clinton was given a potential boost on Tuesday with the endorsement of former astronaut and former Ohio Senator John Glenn.
She and Mr Obama face a long, drawn-out battle after neither was able to deliver a knockout blow in the 22 state contests of Super Tuesday on 5 February.She and Mr Obama face a long, drawn-out battle after neither was able to deliver a knockout blow in the 22 state contests of Super Tuesday on 5 February.