In the United States, Governor George W Bush has won three more Republican primaries, restoring his lead in the race for the party's nomination in the presidential election. Governor Bush beat Senator John McCain decisively in Washington, Virginia and North Dakota. But opinion polls show that Senator McCain could still beat Governor Bush in some of the thirteen states which will vote next week in what is being described as "Super Tuesday".
It is believed that Senator McCain suffered in the latest primaries from a backlash by conservative Christians whose leaders he attacked as bigots earlier this week. Exit polls in the Virginia primary showed Mr Bush gained the backing of 83% of self-declared religious conservatives. In his victory speech he told supporters his campaign was now back on track.
There is a strange dynamic at work in the battle for the Republican nomination. Each time John McCain wins a primary, George W Bush replies with a victory of his own. Governor Bush wins, as he did in three states last night, when traditional Republican voters turn out and vote. Senator McCain wins when independents and moderates turn out in big numbers.
But no-one is predicting who will win next week on "Super Tuesday". Bush has a big lead in California but McCain is doing well in the New York and other states in the Northeast. "Super Tuesday" might also decide the Democratic nomination. Vice President Al Gore won an easy victory over Bill Bradley in the state of Washington last night. He is expected to repeat that victory on a grander scale next week.
