Obama wins Vermont primary

MONTPELIER, Vt., March 4 (UPI) -- Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama grabbed the lead in Vermont and was projected to win his 12th straight nominating victory Tuesday, it was reported.

With 10 percent of the ballots counted, CNN reported the Illinois senator had 59 percent of the vote compared to rival Hillary Clinton's 39 percent.

On the Republican side, Arizona Sen. John McCain won in the Green Mountain State with 70 percent of the vote, inching him closer to the few remaining delegates he needs to become the GOP presidential nominee.

With 10 percent of the ballots counted, McCain's rival, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, had 15 percent of the vote, CNN reported.

In the Democratic race, analysts say a loss for Clinton in Vermont is not as important as the wins she needs in Texas and Ohio to keep her candidacy viable, RTT News reported.

Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, told the news service it is "critical" that Clinton win in the delegate-rich states of Texas and Ohio.

"She doesn't want to withdraw, but if she doesn't win Texas this evening it's going to be very hard for her to continue," Jillson was quoted as saying.