John Kerry took one step closer to Democratic nomination for the presidential election when he defeated his rivals in Virginia and Tennessee.

The win in Virginia and Tennessee marked a sweep in the south that extended his dominance to every region of the country.

The Massachusetts senator bagged about half the vote in yesterday's primary in Virginia, with Senator John Edwards of North Carolina a poor second and former NATO commander Wesley Clark of Arkansas a far-distant third.

Also Read Kerry wins Maine, Michigan, Washington

Kerry easily beat Edwards and Clark in Tennessee.

With two poor finishes, Clark's fate seems sealed. He considered dropping out last week after eking out a lone victory in Oklahoma, and aides said similar discussions were under way.

The other major candidate, Howard Dean, the former Vermonth governor, had already retreated with his staggering campaign to Wisconsin, site of a February 17 primary.

"East. West. North. And, today, in the South," Kerry told a news agency. "It's exciting and gratifying."

Agencies