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% to 37%, in their party's contest in Wisconsin. McCain also won the GOP's Washington primary, moving him closer to formally clinching the nomination, even as Huckabee continued to resist pressure to withdraw in the cause of unity.
With his 58% to 41% Wisconsin victory, Obama widened his narrow lead over Clinton in delegates. He also extended his streak to nine, winning every contest since the Feb. 5 blast of coast-to-coast primaries and caucuses. In very early returns from Hawaii, the state where he was born, he had a nearly 3-to-1 lead over Clinton.
The Illinois senator accepted victory at a rally in Houston, where he told thousands of rabid 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 on March 4, took after Obama as they spoke to supporters Tuesday night. Clinton did not mention the Wisconsin results when, in Youngstown, Ohio, she forwarded her most lancing election night critique of Obama.
"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," Clinton said. "One of us has a plan to provide healthcare for every American from Day One. . . . One of us has faced serious Republican opposition in the past and is ready to do it again."
Aides said she called Obama with congratulations after her speech.
McCain, speaking in Columbus, Ohio, contrasted himself with "the confused leadership of an inexperienced candidate" -- clearly meaning Obama.
"I will fight every moment of every day in this campaign to make sure that Americans are not deceived by an eloquent but empty call for change," he added.
