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WASHINGTON - THE Democrats were denied closure but the Republicans had a measure of their man in the biggest and mostly keenly fought presidential primaries in United States history.
'Super Tuesday' did not deliver a clear verdict in the battle between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the Democratic Party nomination.
But, unexpectedly, the Republican race brought out the viability of former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee's unfancied campaign along with front-running Senator John McCain's anticipated win.
As the primaries and caucuses in 24 states began to be tallied, it became clear that Senator Clinton had held off the challenge posed by her archrival's growing popularity.
Senator Obama, 46, captured more states, but Mrs Clinton, 60, once seen as destined to the Democratic throne, won the bigger states, including the largest jackpot of California.
She could hardly stop beaming as she pledged to supporters that she would 'bring your voice, your values and your dreams to your White House'.
Racking up a better showing than political pundits were prepared to grant her, she won Massachusetts in what her aides called the 'biggest upset' of the day.
She also captured other populous states, her home turf of New York, neighbouring New Jersey and Arkansas.
Mr Obama, who had said at the outset that Mrs Clinton was the Super Tuesday favourite, was projected to have won 13 out of 22 contests.
The loss in Massachusetts - where he had the blessings of Senator Edward Kennedy and members of his powerful clan - clearly rankled. But it was more than made up by his triumphs in the bellwether state of Missouri, his home state of Illinois and his success in Georgia, among other states.
'Our time has come... change is coming to America,' he told supporters in a speech with its trademark message of uniting America.
The Republican race saw Mr McCain, 71, amass a hefty count of delegates as he won six of the eight winner-takes-all party contests, including large ones such as New York, New Jersey and Missouri.
California, where he had been endorsed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, was also projected to be going his way.
'I never minded the role of underdog, but we must get used to the idea that we are the front runners,' he said before cheering supporters.
The surprise of the day came from Mr Huckabee, 52, who scored crucial victories in the southern states - Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama and Tennessee - which are considered the party's geographic heart.
The folksy Baptist preacher, who fought off notions that he might quit the race, sailed on a sea of support from conservative evangelicals.
The one clear Super Tuesday loser was former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, 60, who has styled himself the 'true' conservative.
He won only in Massachusetts and took some other smaller prizes, including Utah, Alaska, Colorado and Minnesota. California, his big hope, went to Mr McCain.
bhagya@sph.com.sg
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