Obama, McCain win Vermont primaries

Source: Xinhua | 03-05-2008 09:59

WASHINGTON, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Republican contender John McCain were projected by CNN to win Vermont primaries on Tuesday.

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and his wife Michelle board his campaign  plane in Houston, Texas March 4, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The U.S. presidential nominee race was resumed as Vermont and the other three states -- Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island -- held primaries and caucuses.

Shortly after Vermont polling stations were closed at 7 p.m. EST (0000 GMT), CNN made the projection according to its exit polls.

The polls showed Illinois Senator Obama's lead over his rival, New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, in almost all categories of voters in Vermont.

Among white voters that account for 94 percent of the total, 62percent favor Obama and 37 percent prefer Clinton.

Obama won support by 68 percent of male voters and also 57 percent of female voters that was considered to belong to Clinton's base.

Republican presidential candidate U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) (R), speaks to reporters as his wife,  Cindy, looks on at Mi Tierra Restaurant in San Antonio, Texas March 4,2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

For voters aged 65 or above, another group that Clinton has been more popular, Obama took a lead with 61 percent, compared to Clinton's 38 percent.

Analysts said that Vermont is a state with many upscale and liberal voters but much less industrial workers, which apparently benefits Obama's campaign.

On the Republican side, Arizona Senator McCain is expected to seal his campaign on Tuesday and accumulate 1,191 delegates needed to win the party's presidential nomination.

Prior to March 4, he has gained 1,047 delegates, while his only challenger, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee only has 247 delegates in hand.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei