Maryland Called for Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain

Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois made it three for three in the so-called "Potomac Primary" winning Maryland according to major U.S. networks. He added Maryland to wins in Virginia and the District of Columbia.

He ran well in Maryland across demographic lines and exit polls say he won both men and women over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

Sen. John McCain also was declared an easy winner in Maryland by the networks.

So, while Sen. McCain had an early scare in Virginia, he rallies to win the state, plus Maryland and the District of Columbia.

The headlines tomorrow will talk of Sen. Obama's momentum, further shakeups in the Clinton campaign (a deputy campaign manager resigned on Monday following the resignation of Campaign Director Patty Solis Doyle; the reason given was to allow the new Campaign Director, Maggie Williams, the chance to organize her own staff) and whether it is time for someone to approach Sen. Clinton and ask her to step aside.

That kind of talk will be generated as a result of these impressive victories by Sen. Obama, but it is too early for that with two big states coming up in March--Ohio and Texas. Those are both states where Sen. Clinton should do well and the demographics are advantageous to her. The question is whether Sen. Obama's gathering momentum will prove unstoppable and the results of the so-called Potomac Primary will have an impact on voting in those two states.

Not to be overlooked is a primary on Feb. 19 in wisconsin which comes before the big votes in March. That could become critical, too.

Sen. McCain had a tougher than expected fight in Virginia but with the wins in the District of Columbia and Maryland, his march continues. The question is how long his chief rival, former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee stays in the race. Rumors are that he will stay in through Texas (March 4) then bow out.

It is going to be a long time between now and March 4 for the Democrats in what will be an incredibly high stakes showdown.