Clinton bounces back with win in Ohio

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) successfully stalled any talk of her political demise Tuesday night, as she was projected to win Ohio's Democratic primary.

Clinton’s victory, projected by the cable news networks, was her first in almost a month and was viewed as crucial by political observers who argued that the former first lady needed a big night on Tuesday to blunt rival Sen. Barack Obama’s (Ill.) momentum.

{mosads}In recent days, the Clinton campaign has fanned the flames of Obama’s reported mix message on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a key issue in a state where exit polls showed that the economy is the number one issue on voters’ minds.

For Clinton, the win is a welcome reprieve as the media environment following Obama’s 11 unanswered wins following Super Tuesday turned decidedly negative for the New York senator.

All eyes now turn to Texas where exit polls show a similarly close race.

If Clinton can hold on to win both, it is a sure bet that Clinton will continue in the race with Pennsylvania’s primary on April 22 waiting as the next big prize.

However, there are many unanswered questions as to what Clinton might do if she fails to win in Texas after emerging victorious in Ohio.

The New York senator has hinted in recent days that she will remain in the race for the long haul, but most analysts think the pressure from party leaders for her to withdraw will be intense if she fails to win Texas as well.

Both candidates campaign furiously in Ohio and Texas over the last two weeks, with Obama seeking a knock-out blow and Clinton looking for a comeback win.