WASHINGTON POST: Sen. Barack Obama swept to convincing victories over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in Democratic presidential primaries in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, extending his winning streak since Feb. 5 to eight. In a victory speech tonight in Madison, Wis., Obama declared “we’re on our way,” but warned that the job of brining about fundamental change in Washington was far from done. “We know it takes more than one night – or even one election – to overcome decades of money and the influence; bitter partisanship and petty bickering that’s shut you out, let you down and told you to settle,” he said. Even as the results were rolling in, the shakeup in Clinton’s senior staff continued, as deputy campaign manager Mike Henry announced his resignation. Henry’s departure came just two days after campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle stepped down.
According to exit polling, Obama scored a resounding, across-the-board triumph in Virginia even among demographic groups that have favored Clinton before. Obama won women by double digits. Among Latino voters, who make up five percent of the electorate in the commonwealth, Obama held a 10-point margin. As expected, Obama racked up huge numbers among black voters in Virginia, who accounted for 30 percent of the Democratic ballots cast, and Obama’s share was close to 90 percent. He also fought Clinton to a draw among white voters, according to preliminary exit polls. Maryland was widely seen a friendly territory for Obama given its significant black population and large number of affluent, highly educated residents. Both groups have proven very strong performers for Obama in past primaries and caucuses. Clinton did, however, have much of the Maryland political establishment on her side, including Gov. Martin O’Malley and Sen. Barbara Mikulski. MORE