Sen. John McCain seized command of the race for the Republican presidential nomination early Wednesday, winning delegate-rich primaries from the East Coast to California. Democratic rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama traded victories in an epic struggle with no end in sight.

Clinton won the biggest state, California, in the Democratic campaign, capitalizing on backing from Hispanic voters. Obama fashioned victories in Alabama and Georgia on the strength of black support.

McCain's own victory in the Republican race in the Golden State dealt a crushing blow to his closest pursuer, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

In Colorado caucuses, Romney and Obama scored overwhelming victories Tuesday, benefiting from a record turnout that included thousands of first-time caucus goers. The results in El Paso and Teller counties mirrored those elsewhere in Colorado: Democrats supported Obama and Republicans chose Romney.

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