Obama, McCain take Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE – Barack Obama swept to a double-digit victory in the Wisconsin primary Tuesday, turning aside a fierce effort by Hillary Rodham Clinton and further propelling his campaign as the Democrats head toward epic contests in Ohio and Texas.

Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, defeated former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, 55 percent to 37 percent, in their party’s contest in Wisconsin.

With his 58 percent to 41 percent Wisconsin victory, Obama widened his delegate lead over Clinton. He also extended his streak to nine, winning every contest since the Feb. 5 blast of coast-to-coast primaries and caucuses. He was favored in late Tuesday caucuses in Hawaii.

The Illinois senator accepted victory at a rally in Houston, where he told thousands of supporters that “the change we seek is still months and miles away, and we need the good people of Texas to help us get there.”

“We will need you to fight for every delegate it takes to win this nomination,” he said. “And if we win the nomination, if we are blessed and honored to win the nomination, then we’re going to need your help to win the election in November.”

Both McCain, anticipating a November matchup, and Clinton, straining to survive to the next big contests March 4, took after Obama as they spoke to supporters. Clinton did not mention the Wisconsin results when, in Youngstown, Ohio, she forwarded her most lancing election night critique of Obama yet.

“While words matter, the best words in the world aren’t enough unless you match them with action,” the New York senator said. “One of us is ready to be commander-in-chief in a dangerous world. One of us has a plan to provide health care for every American from day one. … One of us has faced serious Republican opposition in the past and is ready to do it again.”

McCain, speaking in Columbus, contrasted himself with “the confused leadership of an inexperienced candidate” – clearly meaning Obama.