Democrat Obama rolls to three big US wins

Barack Obama easily won three more Democratic nominating contests on Tuesday, extending his winning streak over rival Hillary Clinton and building momentum in a hard-fought presidential race. Mr Obama rolled to decisive victories in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, running his hot streak to eight consecutive wins and expanding his lead in pledged convention delegates who select the party's nominee.

Republican front-runner John McCain defeated his last major challenger, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia as he moved closer to clinching the party's nomination for the November election.

The wins for Mr Obama, who would be the first black US President, followed big weekend triumphs in Maine, Louisiana, Nebraska, Washington and the Virgin Islands.

All three of Tuesday's contests occurred in fertile territory for Mr Obama, with large populations of the highly educated, high-income and black voters who have favoured the Illinois senator.

But exit polls indicated Mr Obama cut dramatically into Mrs Clinton's core support groups. He led among women, Hispanics and lower-income voters in Virginia and essentially split the votes of whites with Clinton. In Maryland, he captured seniors above the age of 65 and rural voters.

Senator John McCain won the Washington, DC widening his lead over former Arkansas Govorner Mike Huckabee in the race to represent the party in the November election, NBC news projected.

The maverick Arizona senator is almost certain to win the Republican nomination because of his commanding lead, but Mr Huckabee has continued to score victories in conservative states, showing front-runner Mr McCain has yet to fully win over a sceptical party base.