Clinton Revives Candidacy with Wins in Ohio, Texas

Speaking to about 20,000 people at a rally in Columbus, Ohio, a triumphant Hillary Clinton said, “You know what they say. As Ohio goes, so goes the nation. Well, this nation’s coming back and so is this campaign."

The Democratic presidential nominee yesterday gained crucial victories to revive her candidacy in the “Second Super Tuesday” of primaries in four states including Ohio and Texas. Clinton has been under pressure to drop out of the race after suffering 11 consecutive defeats to rival Barack Obama.

Sporting a red jacket, Clinton laughed with a smile beaming on her face, as if she was relieved at last. In a speech after her victories, she said the Democratic race will enter a new phase and started anew, and that she will stay in the race and continue her battle with Obama.

In San Antonio, Texas, Obama remained confident, saying, "No matter what happens tonight, we have nearly the same delegate lead as we did this morning, and we are on our way to winning this nomination."

Right after the primaries ended, a caucus continued among Texan Democratic voters, continuing the neck-and-neck battle for the nomination. Residents of Austin seemed to start a huge debate after the primaries, representing high public interest in the presidential race.

People took to the streets to hold meetings to support their candidates around the Statehouse and The University of Texas, discussing matters such as NAFTA, the Iraq war and immigration.

One woman who cast her vote at St. John’s Lutheran Church said she voted for Obama since he showed the possibility of racial unity and hope for change for the first time in her life.

Another Obama supporter said the candidate offered 50,000 children opportunities to learn while serving as Illinois senator, and tried to keep his promises even after resigning.

On the other hand, a senior at The University of Texas said the experience of running national affairs will not come in a day. She said she found Clinton more trustworthy because she proposed a practical approach to insurance instead of resorting to empty rhetoric of reform.

With a turnout of more than 2.5 million voters, the excited mood in Texas led to a caucus that started at 7:15 p.m. Voters began gathering at Riley Elementary School from 6:30 p.m. and more than 500 Democrats assembled by 7 p.m.

A man who has worked in election management for the past three decades said he was amazed over the support for Democrats in Texas. The state is traditionally a red state dominated by the Republican Party, but the huge voter turnout for the Democrats overwhelmed that for the Republicans, he said.

triplets@donga.com