With wins for Hillary Rodham Clinton in Ohio and Texas, Barack Obama supporters who had hoped for a decisive victory in yesterday's key primary contests were slightly disappointed, while Clinton supporters cheered the results and prepared to rally on.

"Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee for president. That's a guarantee," said Richard Port, former chairman of the Hawaii Democratic Party and a Clinton supporter, who was watching the results from home last night.

"Experience counts," said Port, who is also a Hawai'i superdelegate. "It's clear that she is the candidate who has the most experience to go against John McCain."

McCain clinched the Republican nomination last night with victories in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont over Mike Huckabee, who subsequently dropped out of the GOP race.

"Eight months ago, the media pronounced the campaign all but dead," said state Rep. Gene Ward, co-chairman for McCain's Hawai'i campaign. "Today, Sen. McCain benefits from endorsements from leaders across the country, including Gov. Lingle."

Meanwhile, about 50 Obama supporters gathered at E&O Trading Company in Ward Center to await the results.

AJ Halagao, a representative for the Obama campaign, described the mood as mixed.

"We obviously would have liked to win more states," he said. "Still, we will have the lead in the popular vote and the lead in pledged delegates, which is the key to this race."

After 11 straight losses to Obama since Feb. 5, some called for Clinton to throw in the towel, but the race between the two presidential contenders promises to continue.

"Especially on the Mainland, economic situations are becoming very evident," said state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, who has backed Clinton. "I believe now people are looking at someone they feel can take them out of it."

Some have expressed concern that the battle will put a strain on party unity.

"Whoever wins, members of the Democratic Party will coalesce behind the nominee," Halagao said. "It just makes it tougher to coalesce right now."

Said Rob Vaughan, who was celebrating Obama's Vermont victory with other supporters last night: "You always will have tension (in the party). But people understand that you have two very, very strong candidates, and whoever wins the nomination will have the support of Democrats."

Said Hanabusa: "No matter what happens, both campaigns are in it for the long haul. I don't think either candidate is going to be able to secure all the delegates. We'll probably still be having this conversation in April."

Reach Kim Fassler at fassler@honoluluadvertiser.com.