Obama Sweeps, Takes Lead in Delegates

He survives close contest in conservative Virginia with Huckabee

(NEWSER) - John McCain won the GOP primaries in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC, tonight. The Arizona senator enjoyed comfortable wins in Maryland and DC, but he got a run for his money in Virginia from Mike Huckabee. The former Arkansas governor made it a tight race with enthusiastic backing from conservatives and evangelicals, who make up 68% and 40%, respectively, of GOP voters in Virginia, CNN reports. More»

Senator targets strongholds: Latinos, federal workers, rural southwest

(NEWSER) - Super Tuesday was supposed to decide the Democratic nomination, but tomorrow's Chesapeake primary might be what pushes Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton over the top, reports Politico. And with Obama all but assured victories in DC and Maryland, Clinton is waging a critical battle for Virginia, where her rival holds a 6-point lead. More»

Weird doings with Hillary, Huck and a chucked shoe

(NEWSER) - Oh-eight was a banner year for politics, and half the time it was a really strange banner. Politico looks back on the weirdest moments in a topsy-turvy year.

• Mike Huckabee holds a news conference to announce he won’t run a negative ad, then plays the ad for everyone.
• Desperate for blue collar cred, Hillary Clinton awkwardly downs a whiskey shot in an Indiana bar.
• San Francisco tries to rename a sewage plant after George W. Bush.

Critical contests ahead later tonight in Ohio and Texas

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama and John McCain won their primaries in Vermont tonight, the Burlington Free Press reports. For Obama, it's his 12th straight political victory over Hillary Clinton, though the bigger focus comes later tonight when voters in Ohio and Texas weigh in. Rhode Island also votes. McCain, meanwhile, edges closer to officially securing the GOP nomination, which he could do tonight. More»

The Nike of the field draws praise from marketing experts

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton is the sturdy candidate resembling Microsoft, John McCain evokes Hummer, and Mike Huckabee’s the Applebee’s of the field, but only Barack Obama "has the secret sauce that Brand America needs to regain its appeal." media consultant Jeff Yang writes in Salon. Yang is part of a team studying the "brand's" international standing, and he shares some insights. More»