On Tuesday night Sen. Obama was bursting with energy, pulling off a competitive fight on Super Tuesday that just weeks earlier many believed could not have been done. He is now within striking distance of Sen. Clinton.
"Two weeks ago we were trailing Senator Clinton in some national polls by as much as 20 points. Last night, we won more delegates and we won more states in every region of this country," said Obama. "We won big states and small states, we won red states and we won blue states, and we won swing states. So, I believe that we had an extraordinary night. It was a big victory for our campaign."
He still calls Clinton the front-runner, but says it's just a matter of time.
"What we have found is that there is a real thirst for change in this country, and as I get better known we have been able to compete everywhere," said Obama. "In fact in Illinois, where folks know me best, we won a huge victory, the single largest net gain from any state for either candidate. And so I want to give special thanks to my neighbors and friends here in Illinois for their extraordinary support."
Obama won in 14 states on Super Tuesday: Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, and Utah.
Both of the Democratic candidates need more than 1,000 additional delegates to get the nomination. A total of 500 more delegates are up for grabs in the next week. Voters will be casting ballots in Louisiana, Nebraska, and Washington on Saturday. Maine residents will vote on Sunday. Voters in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia will head to the polls on Tuesday.
It appears this race will continue for months, perhaps into the Democratic Convention in the fall.
