"Let's celebrate our success and prepare to get back to work tomorrow," he said.

"We will never give up this mission, my friends," he added. "America needs...a thorough reform of the way our nation does its business."

The road does not get any easier for McCain. Following primaries in Utah, Wyoming and Colorado this Friday, the Republican campaign heads into the heart of Bush's key constituency, conservative Southern voters. Voters will cast ballots in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas March 14.

The number of delegates needed to obtain the parties' nominations differ; the Republican candidate needs 1,034, and the Democratic candidate needs 2,170.

In Nashville, Tenn., last night, an exuberant Gore thanked his supporters and turned his attention to the upcoming showdown with Bush.

"You ain't seen nothing yet," he said. "Our fight for the working families of this country has just begun."

Gore also made a preemptive plea to pick up McCain supporters last night.