Virginia Primaries-McCain pips Huckabee. Obama blitzes Clinton

In the GOP primary Mike Huckabee has amassed huge votes in the rural conservative and evangelical counties. John McCain has polled very strongly in the more urban areas. This was sufficient for McCain to eke out a rather narrow victory. The conservative voters are sending out a strong message to John McCain that his platform is not conservative enough. Mike Huckabee's decision to remain in the race has been vindicated. McCain must continue to mend fences with conservatives,build a more powerful campaign organization to take on either Obama or Clinton and engage in a massive fund raising effort- if he hopes to compete with either. His choice of Vice Presidential candidate will be crucial. Mike Huckabees strong performance in Virginia strengthens his claims for the Vice Presidential slot.

In the Democratic primary Obama has blitzed Hillary Clinton. This result is a dagger at the heart of the Clinton campaign. Obama's support was strong among Whites and African Americans, male and female, rich and poor, young and old. Obama has made inroads into the higher age groups, poor and women-up to now bulwarks of the Clinton campaign. It appears that John Edward's supporters have moved towards Obama. A c27% margin of defeat for Clinton may be a portent of things to come.

Obama hammers Clinton in South Carolina

Barack Obama has scored a crushing victory over Hillary Cinton by 2 to 1. John Edwards polled very poorly scoring 18% of the vote. Obama won 81% of the African-American vote and 25% of the White vote. The fact that more than 50% of the Democratic electorate here is African-American made the victory inevitable. Nevertheless the decisiveness of the Obama victory must boost his prospects on Super Tuesday. Caroline Kennedy's endorsement will not hurt Obama.

Many African-Americans had intended to vote for Clinton. The ugly campaign fought by Bill and Hillary Clinton backfired and galvanised them to support Obama. There is evidence that a sizeable minority of white voters in the last days of the campaign recoiled in disgust at the Clintons and voted for Edwards. Obama can legitimately claim that he represents both communities as he secured 25% of the white vote in a three person race.

The Clintons have attempted to inject a racial element into the campaign in a subtle manner. Polarisation of the electorate would ensure that Obama is seen as the African-American candidate and Hillary is seen as the White candidate. The Clinton reasoning is that the White candidate will secure the Democratic nomination. The racial element to the campaign boosted Hillary in New Hampshire. It may yet tilt the race in Hillary's favour. In addition the majority of Latinos will vote for Clinton. Clinton remains the favourite

McCain rises phoenix like to win New Hampshire Primary

Last summer many had written John McCain’s political obituary. His campaign was broke. The comeback kid's barnstorming tour of New Hampshire has ensured that he has risen phoenix like from the ashes of political destruction to win a famous victory. He is now probably the new GOP front runner. Once more Mitt Romney has failed to secure victory. This is a devastating defeat for Romney who as Governor of Massachusetts is essentially on home territory. Romney’s prospects of securing the GOP nomination have been seriously damaged. Mike Huckabee who has only spent a few days canvassing here fared well to secure third place. He can expect a large vote in upcoming Michigan and South Carolina primaries. He is a strong contender.Giuliani's performance is abysmal and at this juncture bodes ill for his future prospects.