Obama Scores Sweep: Wins Maryland, DC and Virginia Primaries

I thought this observation from Chris Bowers was worth re-posting in its entirety:

Update 4--Obama takes clear popular lead: I can now project that after tonight, Barack Obama will be ahead of Hillary Clinton in pledged delegates even with Florida and Michigan included, and even with Obama receiving zero delegates from Michigan. He will also probably pass Clinton even in the popular vote count most favorable to her. Obama is now clearly the new leader in the nomination campaign, but Wisconsin looms next week.

DC (89% in) Obama 76% Clinton 24%

Maryland (10% in) Obama 62% Clinton 35%

Virginia (98% in) Obama 64% Clinton 36%

****

MSNBC and CNN both project big victories for Obama and McCain in Maryland

****

Via Open Left, Obama takes the lead in CNN's delegate count, 1,170 to 1,168. That lead will increase throughout the evening. Meanwhile, Hillary's deputy campaign manager Mike Henry (infamous for encouraging her to skip Iowa) has stepped down tonight.

****

CNN reports that with 62% of the precincts in, McCain will edge out Huckabee in the GOP race. Right now it's 47% to 44%, much closer than the polls and pundits predicted. Looks like McCain is still meeting tremendous resistance for a presumptive nominee.

Meanwhile, with 63% precincts reporting in Virginia, Obama has maintained a commanding lead in his Virginia win, 62% to Hillarys 37%.