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Primary test for Obama momentum Primary test for Obama momentum
(about 2 hours later)
People in and around Washington DC are voting in primary polls which could see Democrat Barack Obama keep his momentum over rival Hillary Clinton.People in and around Washington DC are voting in primary polls which could see Democrat Barack Obama keep his momentum over rival Hillary Clinton.
Senator Obama is aiming to win the Democratic presidential nomination contests in Maryland, Virginia and DC.Senator Obama is aiming to win the Democratic presidential nomination contests in Maryland, Virginia and DC.
Senator Clinton is looking ahead to primaries in Ohio and Texas in March in the hope of reversing her fortunes.Senator Clinton is looking ahead to primaries in Ohio and Texas in March in the hope of reversing her fortunes.
In the Republican race, John McCain is seeking to bolster his front-runner status after two weekend defeats.In the Republican race, John McCain is seeking to bolster his front-runner status after two weekend defeats.
I may be skinny, but I'm tough, too - I'm looking forward to mixing it up with John McCain Barack Obama Primary may prove pivotalElections come to CulpeperI may be skinny, but I'm tough, too - I'm looking forward to mixing it up with John McCain Barack Obama Primary may prove pivotalElections come to Culpeper
Polls suggest Mr McCain has the edge over Mike Huckabee, who won in Kansas and Louisiana on Saturday.Polls suggest Mr McCain has the edge over Mike Huckabee, who won in Kansas and Louisiana on Saturday.
But correspondents say the Arizona senator still has some work to do to unite his party, amid continuing criticisms from leading party members who have questioned his conservative credentials.But correspondents say the Arizona senator 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.
CampaigningCampaigning
Polls opened in Virginia at 0600 local time (1100 GMT) and in Maryland and the District of Columbia an hour later.Polls opened in Virginia at 0600 local time (1100 GMT) and in Maryland and the District of Columbia an hour later.
Baltimore voters give their views ahead of primary elections in MarylandIn picturesBaltimore voters give their views ahead of primary elections in MarylandIn pictures
A high turnout is expected in the Democratic vote.A high turnout is expected in the Democratic vote.
Each candidate is about half way to winning the 2,025 delegates needed to secure victory at the Democratic Party's national convention in August. Virginia has 83 delegates up for grabs, while Maryland offers 70 and the District of Columbia has 15.Each candidate is about half way to winning the 2,025 delegates needed to secure victory at the Democratic Party's national convention in August. Virginia has 83 delegates up for grabs, while Maryland offers 70 and the District of Columbia has 15.
Both candidates were campaigning hard on Monday.Both candidates were campaigning hard on Monday.
Mr Obama addressed a mass rally of students at Maryland university, while his rival spoke at smaller, more targeted events around the region.Mr Obama addressed a mass rally of students at Maryland university, while his rival spoke at smaller, more targeted events around the region.

Democrats

Hillary Clinton12 states, 1,147 delegates
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee
Barack Obama19 states, 1,124 delegates
Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Utah, 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, 1,147 delegates
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee
Barack Obama19 states, 1,124 delegates
Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Utah, 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)
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, quoted by the Washington Post. "You can't walk away from them.""A lot of these fights are fights you have to have," she said, quoted by the Washington Post. "You can't walk away from them."
But Mr Obama said he, too, was ready for the fight.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."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.
Polls give Mr Obama a slight lead in the so-called Potomac Primary, named after the river that runs through the two states and the nation's capital.Polls give Mr Obama a slight lead in the so-called Potomac Primary, named after the river that runs through the two states and the nation's capital.
This follows his weekend victories in Washington state, Louisiana, Nebraska, Maine and the US Virgin Islands.This follows his weekend victories in Washington state, Louisiana, Nebraska, Maine and the US Virgin Islands.
Long battle aheadLong battle ahead
Mrs Clinton appointed a new campaign manager after the weekend's setbacks.Mrs Clinton appointed a new campaign manager after the weekend's setbacks.
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 comments 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 comments class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7240460.stm">Castro in spat with McCain
Maggie Williams, who was the New York senator's chief of staff when her husband was serving as US president, will take over from Patti Solis Doyle, who has decided to step down.Maggie Williams, who was the New York senator's chief of staff when her husband was serving as US president, will take over from Patti Solis Doyle, who has decided to step down.
Aides say the former First Lady is looking ahead to primaries in the larger states of Ohio and Texas.Aides say the former First Lady is looking ahead to primaries in the larger states of Ohio and Texas.
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.