Democrat candidates face last big primary test
Tuesday, 06 May 2008 10:19
Barack Obama holds a narrow delegate lead
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Hillary Clinton was the favourite for the Democratic nomination long before Barack Obama emerged as her main challenger. Full Story
Two states are holding their primaries today as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton continue their drawn-out struggle for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Indiana's 85 delegates are up for grabs while there are 19 superdelegates and 115 delegates to be allocated in North Carolina today, according to CNN.
Polls suggest the contest in both states is close, with Mr Obama struggling to establish a convincing lead over Ms Clinton. She kept herself in the race with a nine-point win over her rival in Pennsylvania on May 6th.
Her campaigners have launched a last-minute advertising campaign in North Carolina, but the effort may be partially reversed by the latest celebrity endorsement.
The Da Vince Code star Tom Hanks has come out in favour of Mr Obama, saying: "As an official celebrity, I know my endorsement has just made your mind up for you."
Mr Obama currently has a slim lead in the delegate count, on 1,745 to Ms Clinton's 1,602, according to CNN. The struggle to be the next United States president continues.