Senator's support for Obama may drag out fight

Published on Friday 28 March 2008 21:24

DEMOCRATIC presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign was boosted last night by news he will receive the full backing of a popular US senator from the key primary state of Pennsylvania.

Fearing damage to Democratic chances of winning the White House, Bob Casey was expected to call for the end of the tough fight waged by rival Hillary Clinton.

"The endorsement comes as a surprise," Dan Pfeiffer, Mr Obama's deputy communications director, said. "Casey...had been adamant about remaining neutral until after the 22 April primary. He said he wanted to help unify the party."

The endorsement comes as Mr Obama begins a six-day campaign swing through Pennsylvania.

Mr Casey's backing could help Mr Obama with Catholic voters, who make up more than 30 per cent of the state, and among white working-class voters known as "Casey Democrats."

Mr Casey is the son of a former governor known for his opposition to abortion and support of gun rights.

Mrs Clinton routed Mr Obama among working-class voters in Ohio and Texas on 4 March. She holds a double-digit lead in recent polls of Pennsylvania voters, and a win there could bolster her claim of momentum in the race even though she lags Mr Obama in delegates and the popular vote.

But some in the Democratic Party have worried that a nasty ongoing primary race could be damaging to its hopes for the presidency.