Primary contests held Tuesday, Feb. 12, reiterated the nature of the current races for nomination in both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Sen. John McCain, who had already defined himself as the frontrunner and heavy favorite for the GOP nod, was able to substantiate his convincing lead over former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, with wins in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

Democrats saw a slight shift in the tense battle between their two leading candidates as Barack Obama, who previously trailed Hillary Clinton by a slight margin, was also picked up three consecutive wins in Tuesday's primaries.

Though Sen. Obama only has a slight advantage over rival Sen. Clinton in the delegate distribution, the wins could account for what may be the all-important shift in momentum that could end this competition.

“Tonight we’re on our way, but we know how much further we have to go. We know it takes more than one night, or even one election to overcome…We know our road will not be easy, but we also know that at this moment…we have now won east, west, north and south across the heartland of this country we love,” Sen. Obama declared to a crowd of supporters Tuesday night.

When asked about what demographic he felt Sen. Obama is most influential upon, Knox County Commissioner Thomas Strickland said that the college-age voter was definitely a primary reason for his success.

The college-age voter was definitely a primary reason for his [Sen. Obama's] success. Candidates from both parties are working hard, and doing a lot to keep their campaigns active. Knox County Commissioner Thomas StricklandHe also pointed out that the longstanding, constant support from Black Americans, which favors Obama by a ninety percent margin, is also a prevalent factor in Obama's success.

In last night and other recent primaires, he has also able to recruit the Hispanic, elderly, and female demographics that have traditionally supported Clinton, although Caucasian women are still showing a slight edge in Sen. Clinton’s favor.

It is this shift that is causing unease surrounding a successful campaign for Sen. Clinton in her quest for nomination.

In fact, an online poll conducted by CNN indicated that 45 percent would prefer Sen. Obama become President; that to Sen. Clinton’s 23 percent of the 480,000 polled.

Commissioner Strickland went on to say that he feels America is finally ready for the change being prophesied by candidates, stressing that much needed change that will take place in our White House next January.

He feels that "candidates from both parties are working hard, and doing a lot to keep their campaigns active, " though he noted that he has not closely followed Sen. McCain’s run.

While McCain only needs another four hundred delegates to obtain his party’s nomination, Sen. Clinton has already retreated to Texas to begin a multi-week, intra-state campaign to solidify her lead in the state and pick up their delegates in the March 4 primary.