South specific: Kerry strikes chord

JOHN KERRY, with only pushovers left in the Democratic race, easily won four Southern primaries on Tuesday to bring him within striking distance of the presidential nomination.

The Massachusetts senator swept Florida, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. He took more than three-quarters of the votes in Florida and Mississippi, and about two-thirds in the other states, with 90% of precincts reporting in Texas and almost all reporting elsewhere.

George W Bush had a notable night of his own, by passing the required 1,255 delegates to wrap up the Republican nomination.