Yet, as things now stand, neither is in a position to win a clear victory.
ECONOMIST: As mediators reach for a miracle, the mercenaries move in
So it was tempting to assume that legislative fireworks might follow the clear victory of 2004.
ECONOMIST: Hardly a triumph. But don't count George Bush out just yet
If Florida had produced a clear victory for either candidate, Mrs Harris's political future would probably have been secure.
The ruling looks like a clear victory for subscribers of cable services, long frustrated by awkward set-top box technology and perpetually rising subscription fees.
After all, Barack Obama had delivered the worst economic performance since Jimmy Carter (if not Herbert Hoover), and he still won a clear victory.
June's election produced a clear victory for centre-right parties across Europe.
Another poll by CBS scored it a clear victory for Obama.
CNN: Campaign enters final stretch as Obama takes final debate
She won a clear victory in elections in July, but is accused by her critics of being a puppet of her brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
That led to a clear victory for Mr Hurley, a former detective chief superintendent in the Metropolitan Police, who describes his policing methods as "no nonsense".
The former world champion streaked away from the field for a clear victory in 11.06 seconds ahead of Ukraine's Zhanna Block and Jamaican Commonwealth champion Sherri Ann Brooks.
Mr Kuchma won a clear victory against the incumbent, receiving strong support from the industrial and comparatively "Russified" areas in the east and south, and his worst results in the nationalist west.
If no party wins a clear victory, and is forced to ally with other parties to form a ruling coalition, the group could, in theory, ask Mr. Monti to return as prime minister.
BJP's spokesman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, stalwartly predicts a clear-cut victory for his party in all four.
But this is not to say that Bush walked away with a clear-cut victory.
Losing three of the four debates, the Republican ticket in fact lost any momentum it might have had, though it continued to massage the illusion that a single debate performance had given them a clear path to victory.
Less clear cut was the victory of Angela Merkel in Germany, where the economic battle lines were clearly drawn.
United would have moved a point clear of Chelsea with victory but are one point behind having played a game more.
Dany Heatley equalised but Chris Drury and Jamie Langenbrunner put the US two clear and Ryan Kesler sealed victory after a Sidney Crosby consolation.
Sexton was unable to convert but the victory moves Leinster clear at the top of the Pool Six table with next weekend's crunch clash with London Irish, who play the Scarlets on Sunday, still to come.
Martin Pearson crossed to effectively put the match beyond Salford's reach, before Damian Gibson burst clear to make it a convincing victory for the visitors.
Vlasic was the only athlete to clear 2.04m for a victory that goes some way to making up for the disappointment of missing out on gold at the Beijing Olympics last summer.
Victory takes them 17 points clear at the top of the Championship table with only four games of the regular season remaining.
The victory lifted them one point clear of AC Milan, who had briefly gone top with a 1-0 win at Chievo Tuesday.
CNN: Dortmund sink Bayern in Bundesliga top of the table clash
The Kiwis then sealed their victory when England failed to clear the danger from Bronson Harrison's offload and Nathan Fein followed up to grab the touchdown.
Small consolation came in the form of Pinotti's commanding final day victory, finishing 39 seconds clear of Britain's Geraint Thomas (Sky) with Jesse Sergent of New Zealand third.
"We were worthy winners and that speaks volumes about the character of the players, " said Martinez, whose side moved four points clear of the relegation zone after the victory.
The Metric Martyrs have hailed the move as a victory for their campaign to clear Mr Thoburn's name, despite the fact it will still be illegal to use imperial-only scales.
BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Wear | Bid for 'martyr' pardon continues
Lorenzo cruised to victory more than nine seconds clear of Alex de Angelis, who earned his first podium finish after starting fourth on the grid for San Carlo Honda Gresini.
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