Given the chance to end the Democratic presidential primary rollercoaster Tuesday night, voters in Ohio and Texas decided to let it ride a little longer, breathing new life into Hillary Clinton's campaign.
Sen. Clinton beat Sen. Barack Obama in Ohio handily and eked out a win in the Texas primary. "We're going on, we're going strong, and we're going all the way," Clinton said to a rally of supporters in Columbus, Ohio.
Hispanics Break Big for Clinton
The former first lady can once again thank Hispanics for keeping her presidential hopes alive. As they did in California, in Texas, Hispanics helped her carry the day.
Exit polls showed nearly one out of every five voters was a Hispanic female. Clinton won 66 percent of that group -- twice that of Obama.
Among Hispanic males, she beat Obama 58 percent to 40 percent.
Obama remained optimistic, led in early returns of the Texas caucus – a separate contest that awards a third of the state's delegates – and appeared likely to hold on to his lead in the delegate count.
"We are on our way to winning this nomination," Obama told supporters in San Antonio, Texas.
In Ohio, Clinton led Obama by 12 points with 88 percent of the vote counted.
McCain Wins
As the Democratic contest goes forward, the Republicans can now officially rally behind Sen. John McCain, who secured Tuesday the delegates needed for the nomination.
Mike Huckabee bowed out of the race, saying he offered his commitment to McCain and the Republican Party.
Looking to the general election, McCain said voters are looking for a new kind of political discourse.
"Their patience is at an end for politicians who value ambition over principle," said McCain, saying they don't want partisanship that results in an "uncivil brawl over the spoils of power."
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Neil H. Simon is a journalist and filmmaker in Washington, D.C. He can be found online at neilhsimon.com.
Hillary Clinton Celebrates Wins in Ohio and Texas
WKRC CBS 12 Cincinnati • Mar. 05, 2008. 08:18 AM EST
