'Thank you, Ohio,' Clinton tells voters

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 5 (UPI) -- Wins in Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island revived Sen. Hillary Clinton's bid to be the Democratic nominee for U.S. president heading into next round of votes.

The U.S. senator from New York squares off against Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Saturday in the Wyoming caucuses and Tuesday in the Mississippi primary.

Clinton's victories ended Obama's winning streak at 11. Obama won Vermont.

Clinton won across Ohio, except the metro areas of Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus, which tilted for Obama. With 97 percent of Ohio's precincts counted, Clinton led Obama 55 percent to 44 percent, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Wednesday.

"Thank you, Ohio!" Clinton told supporters in Columbus. "All of you who were counted out but refused to be knocked out, everyone who stumbled but never stayed down, for everyone who works hard, but never gives up, this one's for you."

A large turnout Tuesday led to Democratic ballot shortages in several counties and long lines at polls.

Flooding threats forced three polling places in Jefferson County to be relocated. Poor weather also prompted judges to extend voting hours in some areas.

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., meanwhile, crossed the 1,191-delegate threshold to become the presumptive Republican nominee for president, sweeping all primaries Tuesday. He took about 60 percent of the Republican primary vote in Ohio.