Obama projected winner in Maryland primary

Barack Obama easily won Democratic primaries in Virginia and Maryland and reached out for another in Washington, D.C. in a determined drive to erase Hillary Rodham Clinton's delegate lead in the party's presidential race. Obama's triumphs made it seven straight over Clinton, the former first lady, now struggling in a race she once commanded. His Virginia victory left him a scant 10 delegates short of his rival, with 132 left to allocate for the night.