Crucial Obama win in North Carolina
Barack Obama has scored a crucial win over Hillary Clinton in the North Carolina
Democratic primary, regaining his footing after weeks of setbacks and moving
closer to becoming the first black presidential nominee of a major US political
party.
Mrs Clinton was narrowly leading in the day's other primary, in Indiana, which has
become a must-win state for the former first lady.
With the North Carolina victory, Mr Obama continues to expand his advantage in
delegates who will choose the party's nominee. Mrs Clinton is running out of
opportunities to narrow the gap.
Mr Obama's win comes as he has struggled to overcome a gaffe about "bitter"
working-class voters, criticism of his relationship with a controversial pastor and
questions about his patriotism because he does not wear a flag pin.
Mr Obama told a raucous rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, that his win was a
victory against the "politics of division and the politics of distraction."
Returns from 62% of North Carolina precincts showed Mr Obama was winning
56% of the vote to 42% for Mrs Clinton.
In Indiana, Mrs Clinton led Mr Obama 52% to 48% with returns from 79% of the
precincts.
Overall, Mr Obama leads with 1,785.5 delegates to 1,639 for Mrs Clinton, out of
2,025 needed for the nomination.
The balance of the primary schedule includes West Virginia, with 28 delegates
on May 13; Oregon with 52 and Kentucky with 51 a week later; Puerto Rico with
55 delegates on June 1, and Montana with 16 and South Dakota with 15 on June
3.
