Skip to main content

Obama pushes ahead in Democratic race

  • Story Highlights
  • Obama wins in North Carolina; Clinton squeaks out win in Indiana
  • Obama says he does not believe his party is "inalterably divided"
  • Clinton turns attention to upcoming contests
  • Next Article in Politics »

Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font

(CNN) -- Barack Obama edged closer to securing the Democratic nomination in the U.S. presidential election early Wednesday after claiming a decisive victory in North Carolina as his rival Hillary Clinton narrowly took Indiana, vowing to keep her campaign alive.

art.obama.gi.jpg

Sen. Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, greet supporters in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The latest round in the drawn-out contest to select a challenger to George W. Bush's likely Republican successor John McCain helped Obama strengthen his lead over Clinton, but failed to strike a final blow against either candidate.

Both Clinton and Obama greeted the results with conciliatory speeches focusing on unity and the race for the White House rather than the divisive attacks on each other that have previously been the hallmark of the campaign.

"Some were saying that North Carolina would be a game-changer in this election. But today, what North Carolina decided is that the only game that needs changing is the one in Washington," Obama told supporters in Raleigh, North Carolina.

"We can't afford to give John McCain the chance to serve out George Bush's third term. We need change in America and that is why we will be united in November."

Clinton told her supporters in Indianapolis: "It's full-speed on to the White House," turning her attention to the upcoming contests in West Virginia, Kentucky and Oregon. Video Watch Clinton greet her supporters »

The primary contests -- a version of which are held in every American state -- select delegates to attend a party conference in late August where the nominee to contend November's presidential vote will be confirmed.

To date Obama has secured 1,836 delegates to Clinton's 1,681. Candidates need 2,025 to win. A lack of a definitive lead before the June 3 close of the primary season is expected to push the decision into the hands of senior party officials and free-voting "super delegates."

Presumptive Republican candidate John McCain secured his likely nomination after his nearest rival Mike Huckabee bowed out after securing just 267 pledges to McCain's 1,331.

Despite the Democratic candidates' calls for unity, the bitter nature of their campaign may have damaged the party's battle to win the White House, according to exit polls in Indiana, where voters turned out in record numbers.

Half of Clinton's supporters in Indiana said they would not vote for Obama in a general election matchup with McCain. Video Watch what the exit polls show »

A third of Clinton voters said they would pick McCain over Obama, while 17 percent said they would not vote at all. Forty-eight percent of Clinton supporters said they would back Obama in November.

Obama got even less support from Clinton backers in North Carolina where 45 percent of Clinton supporters said they would vote for him over McCain. Thirty-eight percent of Clinton supporters said they would vote for McCain while 12 percent said they would not vote.

Obama voters appear to be more willing to support Clinton in November. In Indiana, 59 percent of Obama backers said they'd vote for Clinton, and 70 percent of Obama backers in North Carolina said vote for her against McCain.

Obama on Tuesday said he did not agree with those who said his party would not be able to unite.

"Tonight, many of the pundits have suggested that this party is inalterably divided -- that Senator Clinton's supporters will not support me, and that my supporters will not support her," he said.

"I'm here tonight to tell you that I don't believe it. Yes, there have been bruised feelings on both sides. Yes, each side desperately wants their candidate to win. But ultimately, this race is not about Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama or John McCain.

advertisement

"This election is about you -- the American people -- and whether we will have a president and a party that can lead us toward a brighter future."

Analysts said the momentum was now with Obama with the primaries making an already difficult path for Clinton significantly more challenging. Read analysis by CNN experts

CNN's Susan Candiotti, Dan Lothian and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

All About U.S. Presidential Election

  • E-mail
  • Save
  • Print