Udate on Presidential Race

McCain Wins Vermont, Ohio; Obama Takes Vermont; Ohio Too Close To Call
By VOA News 05 March 2008

Senator Barack Obama (r) and his wife Michelle on the campaign plane, 04 Mar 2008

U.S. Senator John McCain won Republican presidential nominating contests Tuesday in Ohio and Vermont, while Senator Barack Obama scored his 12th straight win in Democratic Party contests with a victory in Vermont.

U.S. media say the crucial Ohio Democratic race is too close to call, as Obama battles former first lady and fellow Senator Hillary Clinton for their party's nomination.

The wins for McCain move the veteran Arizona lawmaker nearer to clinching the Republican Party nomination.

Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain speaks at a town hall meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, 25 Feb 2008

Ohio along with Texas, whose polls close shortly, are the key states in the races Tuesday, offering far more delegates than Vermont and another small northeastern state, Rhode Island. Record turnout was expected.

McCain maintains a commanding lead over former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Clinton, slightly behind Obama in the number of delegates needed to secure the Democratic Party nomination, hopes to halt Obama's winning streak.

Surveys show Clinton ahead of Obama in Rhode Island.