'Make-or-break' primaries loom for Clinton campaign
Tuesday, 04 Mar 2008 09:13
Hillary Clinton under pressure as Ohio and Texas vote
Democrat voters going to the polls today across four states could decide their party's nomination for the United States presidency.
Barack Obama only holds a 109-delegate lead over rival Hillary Clinton, according to projections by CNN.
But he has won all 11 primaries and caucuses since Super Tuesday nearly a month ago and analysts say victories in Ohio and Texas – which together offer 334 convention delegates – are crucial for both campaigns.
Rhode Island and Vermont are also voting in a big day for both parties. John McCain is expected to extend his lead, and possibly secure the Republican nomination, in his one-sided race against Mike Huckabee.
"I think I know what's happening and I believe that we're going to do well tomorrow," Ms Clinton said, tacitly acknowledging her struggling status.
But she continued to remain positive and look ahead to future primaries, which include Mississippi on March 11th and Pennsylvania on April 22nd.
"I'm just getting warmed up," she added.
Mr Obama is seeking to break out from his underdog stance for good, but appeared to admit he makes the best progress when seen as a catch-up candidate.
"One of the things that I've learned is that what makes this powerful is not that things always go easy, but rather that we are willing to go forward when it's hard," the Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.