Obama wins Nebraska, Washington, Louisiana

Obama also won in the U.S. Virgin Islands, shutting out Senator Hillary Clinton and giving him a sweep for the night. 

Earlier in the day, Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee defeated GOP frontrunner John McCain in Kansas.

After his wins, Obama took to the stage at a victory rally in Virginia.  "Today the voters from the west coast to the gulf coast to the heart of America stood up to say, 'Yes we can,'" Obama said.  "We won in Louisiana.  We won in Nebraska.  We won in Washington state.  We won north, we won south, we won in between.  And I believe that we can win Virginia on Tuesday if you're ready to stand for change."

The Illinois senator said that "people want to turn the page, they want to write a new chapter in American history."  In a speech notable for its message of party unity, Obama used the occasion to take on what he called "the failed policies of George W. Bush" and the Republicans.  He also accused Republican rival John McCain of supporting the Bush's administration's "failed policies" on taxes and Iraq and other issues.

Obama's remarks were interrupted repeatedly by chants of "O-bam-A" and "Yes we can!"  He also said the election is about "the past versus the future."  Senator Obama did try to distinguish himself from Senator Clinton on campaign finance reform and health care. 

Earlier in the day, Senator Clinton spoke at the Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Virginia and promised that she was ready to take on John McCain in the fall and to lead the nation as president next January. 

(Updated 10:47 p.m. EST)