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Clinton, Obama Battle On, McCain Claims Frontrunner Status After 'Super Tuesday'

By Cindy Saine
Washington
06 February 2008

Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are preparing for a long campaign after splitting victories in the Super Tuesday contests for the Democratic presidential nomination. On the Republican Party side, John McCain surged ahead of his rivals, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, who are still in the race. VOA Correspondent Cindy Saine reports from Washington.

Senator Hillary Clinton won the two biggest prizes Tuesday in terms of delegates, New York and California. The former First Lady maintains a lead in the overall tally of delegates needed to secure the Democratic presidential nomination. But the race is far from over.

Senator Barack Obama scored wins in at least 13 states, giving him fresh momentum for upcoming state primaries, and the Democratic caucus in New Mexico has still not been settled. Clinton had a 117-vote lead when party officials took a late night break from counting the votes.

Political analyst Allan Lichtman says we are looking at an extended battle between two very evenly-matched Democratic candidates.

"We know the Democrats are very enthusiastic about both of their candidates," he said. "They both have a tremendous base, and they have really fought to a standstill on Super Tuesday. Super Tuesday decided nothing on the Democratic side."

All the campaigns are already looking ahead to contests this Saturday in Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington state, and February 12 primaries in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Neither candidate declared victory. But Obama delivered an emotional speech in his home state of Illinois, telling his supporters "we are the change we have been waiting for."

"We have to choose between change and more of the same," he said. "We have to choose between looking backwards and looking forwards. We have to choose between our future and our past. It is a choice between going into this election with Republicans and independents already united against us, or going against their nominee with a campaign that has already united Americans of all parties, from all backgrounds, from all races, from all religions, around a common purpose."

Appearing before her supporters in New York, Clinton was also confident, laying out her priorities as president.

"Today we say with one voice, give us the child who wants to learn, give us the people in need of work, give us the veterans who need our care," she said. "Give us this nation to heal, this world to lead, this moment to seize. I know we are ready."

For the Republicans, Senator John McCain scored major victories in California, New York and other states, leaving him with more than half the delegates needed for the nomination, and far ahead of his rivals. Considered a maverick by many conservative Republicans, McCain was an underdog in the race for months, but he said all that has changed.

"We have won primaries in the West, the South, the Midwest and the Northeast," he said. "And, although I have never minded the role of the underdog and have relished as much as anyone come-from-behind wins, tonight I think we must get used to the idea that we are the Republican Party frontrunner for the nomination for president of the United States."

Former Governor Mike Huckabee surprised many by sweeping much of the South, scoring wins in his home state of Arkansas, West Virginia, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, a region where McCain did not do as well.

Former Governor Mitt Romney vowed to fight on after wins in his home state of Massachusetts, Utah, Colorado, Montana, Minnesota, Alaska, and North Dakota, but he and Huckabee trail McCain by a substantial margin.