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US poll battle moves to Wisconsin Obama wins Wisconsin primary poll
(about 2 hours later)
The White House race is continuing in Wisconsin as Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton seek a boost in their close battle for the party nomination. 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.
Turnout at the polls has been reported to be high in some places, despite below freezing temperatures. John McCain is projected to win for the Republicans, boosting his front-runner status in his party's contest.
Republicans are also holding their own contest in the state, but front-runner John McCain is widely expected to win. 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".
A Democratic caucus will be held in Hawaii, while Republicans in Washington state are to vote in a primary. Contests are also taking place in Hawaii and Washington state.
Mr Obama is expected to win 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.
Polls close in Wisconsin at 2100 (0200 GMT Wednesday) and in Washington state at 2000 (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 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.Wisconsin's 74 pledged Democratic delegates are at stake, while 20 delegates are being picked in Hawaii.

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 have 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. 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.
The result in Wisconsin will not be a killer blow to either side, says BBC North America editor Justin Webb. 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.
But a strong win for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama could set them on the course to eventual victory, 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.
For Mrs Clinton in particular, a good showing might allow her campaign to find its feet again after a string of recent losses. But for Mr Obama, success would add to the growing sense that he is now the front-runner, our correspondent said.
For Mr Obama, success would add to the growing sense that he is now the front-runner, our correspondent says.
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.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.
"We need solutions - that's what this election should be about," Mrs Clinton said during a round table with voters in Parma, Ohio. "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.
"It shouldn't be about speeches," she added, in an apparent reference to her main rival's powers of rhetoric."It shouldn't be about speeches," she added, in an apparent reference to her main rival's powers of rhetoric.
She said she believed she was better placed to take on the Republicans "when it comes to national security". Mrs Clinton said she believed she was better placed to take on the Republicans "when it comes to national security".
We've been battle-tested during the course of this primary Barack ObamaWe've been battle-tested during the course of this primary Barack Obama
Mr Obama told NBC's Today show that he was confident about winning in Wisconsin but added that "you never take it for granted". Speaking on NBC's Today show, 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.
Responding to 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.
"And it's not as if they're playing tiddlywinks, right? So we've been battle-tested during the course of this primary.""And it's not as if they're playing tiddlywinks, right? So we've been battle-tested during the course of this primary."
Mr Obama currently holds 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. 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.
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.
Mike Huckabee can still count on a share of the vote Mr 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, is expected to win. Mr McCain, who is well ahead in delegates and has the support of the party establishment, was expected to win in Wisconsin.
"My friends we want to win today," he told a rally of about 150 supporters in Milwaukee. "With your help today we will take another step."
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.