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Obama wins Wisconsin primary poll Obama wins Wisconsin primary poll
(30 minutes later)
Barack Obama is projected to win a primary vote in Wisconsin, a blow to his rival for the Democratic nomination to run for president, Hillary Clinton. Barack Obama is projected to take a primary vote in Wisconsin, a blow to his rival for the Democratic nomination to run for president, Hillary Clinton.
John McCain is projected to win for the Republicans, boosting his front-runner status in his party's contest.John McCain is projected to win for the Republicans, boosting his front-runner status in his party's contest.
Mr McCain appeared to target Mr Obama in his victory as he promised to ensure Americans were "not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change". Mr McCain 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".
Contests are also taking place in Hawaii and Washington state.Contests are also taking place in Hawaii and Washington state.
Mr Obama is expected to win the Democratic caucus in Hawaii, where the Illinois senator was born. Mr Obama is expected to win the Democratic caucus in Hawaii, where the Illinois senator was born and 20 delegates are at stake.
Polls remain open in Washington state, where Republicans are voting, until 2000 local time (0400 GMT Wednesday).Polls remain open in Washington state, where Republicans are voting, until 2000 local time (0400 GMT Wednesday).
The caucuses in Hawaii do not begin until 1900 local time on Tuesday (0500 GMT Wednesday).The caucuses in Hawaii do not begin until 1900 local time on Tuesday (0500 GMT Wednesday).
Seeking momentumSeeking momentum
Wisconsin's 74 pledged Democratic delegates are at stake, while 20 delegates are being picked in Hawaii. The BBC's Jonathan Beale says this was a significant victory for Barack Obama, marking his ninth win in a row since the votes on so-called Super Tuesday, 5 February.

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)
Both campaigns tried to play down expectations going into the vote in Wisconsin, a state which has many of the white working-class voters who have been seen as Mrs Clinton's core support base. It is not just about momentum, our correspondent says, but about Mr Obama eating into Mrs Clinton's support base.
Early exit polls suggested nine out of 10 voters in both parties were white and that a substantial majority of Democratic voters were women, a group that has favoured Mrs Clinton in previous primaries. Wisconsin is a largely white, working class state - the kind of place where Mrs Clinton has done well in the past, he adds.
The result in Wisconsin will not be a killer blow to either side, BBC North America editor Justin Webb said ahead of the vote. Early exit polls suggested Mr Obama tied with Mrs Clinton for votes among women overall and substantially eroded her lead among white women, previously a core voting base for her.
But for Mr Obama, success would add to the growing sense that he is now the front-runner, our correspondent said. He also picked up the support of six out of 10 self-described independent voters, according to exit polls for Associated Press.
Mrs Clinton is already looking ahead to March's bigger contests in Ohio and Texas, seen by analysts as crucial to her credibility as a candidate. With 36% of the ballots counted, Mr Obama had 56% of the vote to Mrs Clinton's 43%.
"We need solutions - that's what this election should be about," the New York senator said during a round table with voters in Parma, Ohio. 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."
In pictures: Wisconsin votes "It shouldn't be about speeches," she added, in an apparent reference to her main rival's powers of rhetoric. In pictures: Wisconsin votes
Mrs Clinton said she believed she was better placed to take on the Republicans "when it comes to national security". He and Mrs Clinton have been looking ahead to March's bigger contests in Ohio and Texas, seen by analysts as crucial to her credibility as a candidate.
Speaking on NBC's Today show ahead of the vote, Mr Obama rejected the suggestion he was not heavyweight enough to fight the Republicans. He said: "First of all, I've had to go up against the Clinton machine. Some have suggested the vote in Wisconsin could be an indicator as to how she may fare in similarly industrial, blue-collar states as Ohio, and Pennsylvania in April.
"And it's not as if they're playing tiddlywinks, right? So we've been battle-tested during the course of this primary." 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
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.
Mr McCain's win in Wisconsin will be a boost to his front-runner statusMr McCain's win in Wisconsin will be a boost to his front-runner status
Mr McCain, who is well ahead in delegates and has the support of the party establishment, was expected to win in Wisconsin. But Mr McCain now has almost four times as many delegates as Mr Huckabee and the support of the party establishment.
Giving a victory speech in Columbus, Ohio, he said: "Thank you Wisconsin for bringing us to the point where even a superstitious naval aviator can claim with providence and humility that I will be our party's nominee for president." With 36% of the vote counted in Wisconsin, he led by 55% of the vote compared to 37% for Mr Huckabee and 4% for Texas Congressman Ron Paul.
Mr McCain has almost four times as many delegates as Mr Mike Huckabee. Giving a victory speech in Columbus, Ohio, Mr McCain said: "Thank you, Wisconsin, for bringing us to the point where even a superstitious naval aviator can claim with providence and humility that I will be our party's nominee for president."
He went on: "I will fight every moment of every day in this campaign to make sure Americans are not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change that promises no more than a holiday from history and a return to the false promises and failed policies of a tired philosophy that trusts in government more than people."
On Monday, former President George Bush Senior endorsed Mr McCain in his bid to be the Republicans' presidential nominee and dismissed criticism of his record as "grossly unfair".On Monday, former President George Bush Senior endorsed Mr McCain in his bid to be the Republicans' presidential nominee and dismissed criticism of his record as "grossly unfair".
The Washington Republican primary is the second half of a two-part nominating contest. The state's Republicans held a caucus on 9 February, which was narrowly won by Mr McCain.The Washington Republican primary is the second half of a two-part nominating contest. The state's Republicans held a caucus on 9 February, which was narrowly won by Mr McCain.
Republicans will only allocate about half their delegates on the basis of the primary - the rest were decided earlier in the caucus.Republicans will only allocate about half their delegates on the basis of the primary - the rest were decided earlier in the caucus.
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.