Obama inches towards Democratic win

His rival Hillary Clinton claimed a narrow victory in Indiana but her hopes of securing the nomination are looking increasingly slim.

Mr Obama used his victory speech to challenge perceptions that the prolonged battle between the two Democrats will damage the party's chances against the Republicans in November's general election.

"This has been one of the longest, most closely fought contests in American history," he said.

"That's partly because we have such a formidable opponent in Senator Hillary Clinton."

Mr Obama said many pundits had suggested the party was divided, that Mrs Clinton's supporters would not back him, and that his supporters would not back her.

"I don't believe it," he said. "Yes, there have been bruised feelings on both sides. Yes, each side desperately wants their candidate to win.

"But ultimately this race is not about Hillary Clinton, it's not about Barack Obama, it's not about John McCain.

"This election is about you, the American people. It's about whether we will have a president and a party that can lead us toward a brighter future."

Mrs Clinton, with her husband former president Bill Clinton and the couple's daughter Chelsea at her side, referred to Mr Obama's prediction that out of Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Indiana, Indiana would be the "tie breaker" for the candidates.

"We've come from behind, we've broken the tie and thanks to you it's full speed on to the White House," she said.

As with her victory speech in Pennsylvania two weeks ago, Mrs Clinton made another prominent appeal for funds as she spoke to supporters at her campaign headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.

"We can only keep winning if we can keep competing against an opponent who does outspend us massively," she said.

Mrs Clinton told her supporters: "I will never stop fighting for you so that you can have the future you deserve.

"Americans need a champion in their corner.

"For too long we've had a president who's stood up and spoke out for the wealthy and the well-connected.

"But I don't think that's what Americans need or what they're looking for now.

"And I think standing up for working people is about the American Dream and the Democratic Party."

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

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