This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7252205.stm

The article has changed 31 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 17 Version 18
Obama wins Wisconsin primary poll Obama wins Wisconsin primary poll
(20 minutes later)
Barack Obama has extended his lead over his rival, Hillary Clinton, in the contest to win the Democratic nomination to run for US president.Barack Obama has extended his lead over his rival, Hillary Clinton, in the contest to win the Democratic nomination to run for US president.
With most of the votes counted, Mr Obama, the senator for Illinois, has won the primary in Wisconsin - his ninth victory in a row.With most of the votes counted, Mr Obama, the senator for Illinois, has won the primary in Wisconsin - his ninth victory in a row.
John McCain has won for the Republicans, boosting his front-runner status in his party's contest.John McCain has won for the Republicans, boosting his front-runner status in his party's contest.
Mr McCain is projected to win a Republican primary in Washington state.Mr McCain is projected to win a Republican primary in Washington state.
Meanwhile, Mr Obama is expected to win a Democratic caucus in Hawaii, where the Illinois senator was born and 20 delegates are at stake.Meanwhile, Mr Obama is expected to win a Democratic caucus in Hawaii, where the Illinois senator was born and 20 delegates are at stake.
Caucusing was due to begin at 1900 local time on Tuesday (0500 GMT Wednesday). Caucusing began at 1900 local time on Tuesday (0500 GMT Wednesday).
Seeking momentumSeeking momentum
The BBC's Jonathan Beale says Wisconsin was a significant victory for Mr Obama, eating into Mrs Clinton's support base.The BBC's Jonathan Beale says Wisconsin was a significant victory for Mr Obama, eating into Mrs Clinton's support base.
With 95% of the ballots counted, Mr Obama had 58% of the vote to Mrs Clinton's 41%. There are 74 Democratic delegates at stake.With 95% of the ballots counted, Mr Obama had 58% of the vote to Mrs Clinton's 41%. There are 74 Democratic delegates at stake.

Democrats

Hillary Clinton13 states, 1,218 delegates
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee
Barack Obama21 states, 1,281 delegates
Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, 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, 245 delegates
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kansas, Louisiana
John McCain15 states, 903 delegates
Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington state
Mitt Romney11 states, 253 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 Clinton13 states, 1,218 delegates
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee
Barack Obama21 states, 1,281 delegates
Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, 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, 245 delegates
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kansas, Louisiana
John McCain15 states, 903 delegates
Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington state
Mitt Romney11 states, 253 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)
It is a major disappointment for Mrs Clinton, the senator for New York, who had been hoping to restore momentum to her campaign.It is a major disappointment for Mrs Clinton, the senator for New York, who had been hoping to restore momentum to her campaign.
Instead, Mr Obama was reported to have gained almost equal support from white women, and to have polled well from working-class Democrats - both groups which have usually supported Mrs Clinton.Instead, Mr Obama was reported to have gained almost equal support from white women, and to have polled well from working-class Democrats - both groups which have usually supported Mrs Clinton.
Mr Obama also took the youth vote and six out of 10 self-described independent voters, according to exit polls for ABC.Mr Obama also took the youth vote and six out of 10 self-described independent voters, according to exit polls for ABC.
But he and Mrs Clinton are already looking ahead to March's bigger contests in Ohio and Texas, seen by analysts as crucial to her credibility as a candidate.But he and Mrs Clinton are already looking ahead to March's bigger contests in Ohio and Texas, seen by analysts as crucial to her credibility as a candidate.
Speaking at a victory rally in Houston, Texas, Mr Obama said: "The change we seek is still months and miles away and we need to get all of Texas to help us get there."Speaking at a victory rally in Houston, Texas, Mr Obama said: "The change we seek is still months and miles away and we need to get all of Texas to help us get there."
Addressing a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, Mrs Clinton said the primary campaign was "about picking a president who relies not just on words but on work - hard work to get America back to work".Addressing a rally in Youngstown, Ohio, Mrs Clinton said the primary campaign was "about picking a president who relies not just on words but on work - hard work to get America back to work".
Before the results from Wisconsin were calculated, Mr Obama held a slight lead over Mrs Clinton, with 1,280 delegates to her 1,218.Before the results from Wisconsin were calculated, Mr Obama held a slight lead over Mrs Clinton, with 1,280 delegates to her 1,218.
It will take 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination at the party's national convention this summer.It will take 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination at the party's national convention this summer.
McCain favouriteMcCain favourite
Mr McCain, the senator for Arizona, appeared to target Mr Obama in his victory speech as he promised to ensure Americans were "not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change".Mr McCain, the senator for Arizona, appeared to target Mr Obama in his victory speech as he promised to ensure Americans were "not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change".
On the Republican side, the race between Mr McCain and Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, continues.On the Republican side, the race between Mr McCain and Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, continues.
In pictures: Wisconsin votesIn pictures: Wisconsin votes
Mr McCain now has almost four times as many delegates as his main rival, Mike Huckabee.Mr McCain now has almost four times as many delegates as his main rival, Mike Huckabee.
With 95% of the vote counted in Wisconsin, he led with 58% of the vote compared to 37% for Mr Huckabee and 5% for Texas Congressman Ron Paul. There are 40 Republican delegates at stake.With 95% of the vote counted in Wisconsin, he led with 58% of the vote compared to 37% for Mr Huckabee and 5% for Texas Congressman Ron Paul. There are 40 Republican delegates at stake.
Early exit polls for AP suggested Mr McCain had made headway with some core Republican voters, beating Mr Huckabee overwhelmingly for the support of moderate Republicans.Early exit polls for AP suggested Mr McCain had made headway with some core Republican voters, beating Mr Huckabee overwhelmingly for the support of moderate Republicans.
The Washington Republican primary is the second vote in a two-part nominating contest - half their delegates were decided earlier in a caucus on 9 February, which was narrowly won by Mr McCain.The Washington Republican primary is the second vote in a two-part nominating contest - half their delegates were decided earlier in a caucus on 9 February, which was narrowly won by Mr McCain.
With 53% of Tuesday's vote counted, Mr McCain had amassed 48% to Mr Huckabee's 21% and Mr Paul's 7%.With 53% of Tuesday's vote counted, Mr McCain had amassed 48% to Mr Huckabee's 21% and Mr Paul's 7%.
Washington state's Democrats are also holding a primary but their delegates to the party's summer nominating convention have already been chosen on the basis of caucuses.Washington state's Democrats are also holding a primary but their delegates to the party's summer nominating convention have already been chosen on the basis of caucuses.