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Pennsylvania set for crucial vote Pennsylvania set for crucial vote
(about 3 hours later)
Democrats in the state of Pennsylvania are gearing up to vote in a critical battle between White House hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.Democrats in the state of Pennsylvania are gearing up to vote in a critical battle between White House hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
The state could be a decisive test in what has become an increasingly bitter fight for the Democratic nomination.The state could be a decisive test in what has become an increasingly bitter fight for the Democratic nomination.
While Mrs Clinton is expected to win, analysts say she needs a convincing victory, ideally with a double-digit lead, to keep her campaign alive.While Mrs Clinton is expected to win, analysts say she needs a convincing victory, ideally with a double-digit lead, to keep her campaign alive.
Two polls released on Monday showed her ahead by 10% and 7% in the state.Two polls released on Monday showed her ahead by 10% and 7% in the state.
A Suffolk University survey showed Mrs Clinton leading Mr Obama by 52% to 42%, while a Quinnipiac University poll had her on 51%, with him on 44%.A Suffolk University survey showed Mrs Clinton leading Mr Obama by 52% to 42%, while a Quinnipiac University poll had her on 51%, with him on 44%.
DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES Barack Obama: Pledged delegates: 1,414Super-delegates: 231Total: 1,645 Hillary Clinton: Pledged delegates: 1,250Super-delegates: 257Total: 1,507 Source: AP estimates on 21 April Q&A: US election delegatesPennsylvania voters' viewsJustin Webb's blog DEMOCRATIC DELEGATES Barack Obama: Pledged delegates: 1,415Super-delegates: 233Total: 1,648 Hillary Clinton: Pledged delegates: 1,251Super-delegates: 258Total: 1,509 Source: AP estimates on 21 April Q&A: US election delegatesPennsylvania voters' viewsJustin Webb's blog
Polls open at 0700 (1100 GMT), with results expected soon after they close at 2000 (0000GMT).Polls open at 0700 (1100 GMT), with results expected soon after they close at 2000 (0000GMT).
With four million registered Democrats, and 158 pledged delegates to the Democratic party's nominating convention in August, Pennsylvania is the last of the big states to hold a primary.With four million registered Democrats, and 158 pledged delegates to the Democratic party's nominating convention in August, Pennsylvania is the last of the big states to hold a primary.
Although Mrs Clinton is behind in the delegate count and in the total votes cast, she has won all the other big state contests.Although Mrs Clinton is behind in the delegate count and in the total votes cast, she has won all the other big state contests.
And the white working class voters that have formed the backbone of her support so far are a significant constituency in the state.And the white working class voters that have formed the backbone of her support so far are a significant constituency in the state.
With the delegates split in proportion with the vote, neither candidate is expected to win sufficient pledged delegates to seal the nomination in the remaining primaries, and the two are courting 800 or so unelected "super-delegates".With the delegates split in proportion with the vote, neither candidate is expected to win sufficient pledged delegates to seal the nomination in the remaining primaries, and the two are courting 800 or so unelected "super-delegates".
Hillary Clinton has a lot resting on the result in PennsylvaniaHillary Clinton has a lot resting on the result in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania provides a key test for Mrs Clinton's argument - which she hopes will sway the super-delegates - that only she will be able to secure wins in critical large states come November's presidential election.Pennsylvania provides a key test for Mrs Clinton's argument - which she hopes will sway the super-delegates - that only she will be able to secure wins in critical large states come November's presidential election.
The BBC's North America editor, Justin Webb, says the state's voters have the power to keep Mrs Clinton's White House dream alive by giving her a substantial victory, to do it further damage by delivering a close result, or to destroy it by handing a win to Mr Obama.The BBC's North America editor, Justin Webb, says the state's voters have the power to keep Mrs Clinton's White House dream alive by giving her a substantial victory, to do it further damage by delivering a close result, or to destroy it by handing a win to Mr Obama.
'Politics of fear''Politics of fear'
The last-minute campaigning has been marked by a row about Mrs Clinton's latest campaign advert.The last-minute campaigning has been marked by a row about Mrs Clinton's latest campaign advert.
In the hours before the polling stations opened, Mrs Clinton was accused of trading in the "politics of fear".In the hours before the polling stations opened, Mrs Clinton was accused of trading in the "politics of fear".
Barack Obama has spent more money than his rival in courting PennsylvaniaBarack Obama has spent more money than his rival in courting Pennsylvania
Her final campaign advert featured shots of historic world events such as Pearl Harbour and the fall of the Berlin Wall, with clips of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden and Hurricane Katrina victims.Her final campaign advert featured shots of historic world events such as Pearl Harbour and the fall of the Berlin Wall, with clips of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden and Hurricane Katrina victims.
The advert concluded with the line: "You need to be ready for anything".The advert concluded with the line: "You need to be ready for anything".
Mrs Clinton's chief strategist Geoff Garin said it was a positive advert.Mrs Clinton's chief strategist Geoff Garin said it was a positive advert.
"It states why Hillary Clinton is the right choice to be president," he said. "We're at a moment where we need a president who's got the strength and knowledge to take on very tough challenges.""It states why Hillary Clinton is the right choice to be president," he said. "We're at a moment where we need a president who's got the strength and knowledge to take on very tough challenges."
But Bill Burton, from Mr Obama's team, said: "We already have a president who plays the politics of fear, and we don't need another."But Bill Burton, from Mr Obama's team, said: "We already have a president who plays the politics of fear, and we don't need another."
There has been increasing pressure from senior Democrats for a swift resolution to the deadlock between the candidates, fearing the drawn-out battle will damage the eventual candidate's success against Republican John McCain.There has been increasing pressure from senior Democrats for a swift resolution to the deadlock between the candidates, fearing the drawn-out battle will damage the eventual candidate's success against Republican John McCain.
Over the weekend, Mrs Clinton hit out at Mr Obama after he said Mr McCain would make a better president than George W Bush.Over the weekend, Mrs Clinton hit out at Mr Obama after he said Mr McCain would make a better president than George W Bush.
"We need a nominee who will take on John McCain, not cheer on John McCain, and I will be that nominee," she said."We need a nominee who will take on John McCain, not cheer on John McCain, and I will be that nominee," she said.
On a railway tour of the state, Mr Obama challenged Mrs Clinton's "slash-and-burn, say-anything, do-anything special interest-driven politics".On a railway tour of the state, Mr Obama challenged Mrs Clinton's "slash-and-burn, say-anything, do-anything special interest-driven politics".
"Trying to score cheap political points... doesn't make for good government," he said."Trying to score cheap political points... doesn't make for good government," he said.
Mr Obama has spent heavily in Pennsylvania - he had a $42m war chest for April while Mrs Clinton had $9m - and some analysts say he is polling better in the state's urban areas than rural ones.Mr Obama has spent heavily in Pennsylvania - he had a $42m war chest for April while Mrs Clinton had $9m - and some analysts say he is polling better in the state's urban areas than rural ones.