THE TELEGRAPH: Barack Obama claimed a "big victory" on Super Tuesday after winning 13 states and establishing a slender lead over Hillary Clinton in the number of delegates who will pick the Democratic candidate for President of the United States.
"Last night we won more delegates and we won more states in every region of this country," he told supporters in Chicago after an agonisingly close contest in which more than 10 million Democrats voted.
"We won big states and small states. We won red states and blue states and swing states." The Clinton campaign claimed it was in the driving seat by counting super-delegates - party bigwigs who can choose who they back - who had made an early commitment to the former First Lady. Mr Obama insisted he was "the underdog" despite claiming victory and a delegate lead.
"Senator Clinton is a formidable opponent," he said. "She’s got a familiar and well-appreciated name. She’s got a political machine honed over two decades or so.
"From my perspective, this makes her the front runner in every single contest."
In an extraordinary and dramatic night, Mrs Clinton won eight states, including the big prize of California, and the overall popular vote by a single percentage point. Mr Obama swept 13 states.
But the two candidates are now neck and neck in a battle that will continue well into the spring and possibly even to the Democratic convention in August when the delegates meet to pick their candidate. Barack Obama 'ahead of Hillary Clinton' >>> By Toby Harnden in Chicago
Mark Alexander (Paperback)
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