Obama nears victory over Clinton after final primaries

Published on Wednesday 7 May 2008 10:23

BARACK OBAMA moved a step closer to clinching the Democratic Party's presidential nomination today with a strong performance in the last major contests of the US primary season.

The young Illinois senator, who would be America's first black presidential nominee, beat rival Hillary Clinton by 14 points in North Carolina, with 56 per cent to 42 per cent of the vote.

He also fought an extremely tight race in Indiana, where the former first lady clinched the win by just two points, with 51 per cent to 49 per cent with 99 per cent of the results in.

Mr Obama's strong performance in last night's key contests will expand his lead among the delegates who will choose the party's nominee and makes a Clinton comeback increasingly unlikely.

The 60-year-old New York senator will stay in the race for now, but many US pundits predicted the end for her campaign was near.

In a patriotic speech in North Carolina, Mr Obama called for unity within the Democratic Party.