This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7384859.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Last big primaries for Democrats Key US states count primary votes
(8 minutes later)
Voting is coming to a close in two US states in the last major Democratic party primaries, which help decide the party's presidential nominee. Votes are being counted in two US states in the last major Democratic party primaries, which help decide the party's presidential nominee.
Barack Obama, who currently leads the race, and Hillary Clinton are battling it out in Indiana and North Carolina. US media are projecting a win for Barack Obama - who currently leads the Democratic race - in North Carolina over his rival Hillary Clinton.
Polls suggested Mrs Clinton was ahead in Indiana and had been eating into Mr Obama's lead in North Carolina. The other vote was in Indiana, where polls have placed Mrs Clinton ahead.
Observers say if Mrs Clinton lost both primaries it would all but eliminate her from the nomination contest.Observers say if Mrs Clinton lost both primaries it would all but eliminate her from the nomination contest.
On the other hand, a double win for the former first lady could fuel doubts about her rival's electability.On the other hand, a double win for the former first lady could fuel doubts about her rival's electability.
Unassailable lead?Unassailable lead?
The two Democrats are vying to face Republican John McCain in November's presidential vote.The two Democrats are vying to face Republican John McCain in November's presidential vote.
The atmosphere here is electric. It's the first election in my lifetime in which our state has been a determining factor in the primary season Diane Singleton, Bloomington, Indiana Democratic voters' viewsIn pictures: US primariesWho are the delegates?The atmosphere here is electric. It's the first election in my lifetime in which our state has been a determining factor in the primary season Diane Singleton, Bloomington, Indiana Democratic voters' viewsIn pictures: US primariesWho are the delegates?
Estimates suggested brisk turnout in both primaries on Tuesday.Estimates suggested brisk turnout in both primaries on Tuesday.
Indiana, where voting finished at 1900 on Tuesday (2300 GMT), is home to large numbers of blue-collar workers, a group which has backed to Mrs Clinton in previous contests.Indiana, where voting finished at 1900 on Tuesday (2300 GMT), is home to large numbers of blue-collar workers, a group which has backed to Mrs Clinton in previous contests.
In North Carolina, Mr Obama is expected to benefit from the votes of African-Americans, who make up more than a third of the electorate there.In North Carolina, Mr Obama is expected to benefit from the votes of African-Americans, who make up more than a third of the electorate there.
Mrs Clinton has cut Mr Obama's lead in North Carolina to single digits in most polls over recent weeks and the two have been close in Indiana, where she has had the edge.Mrs Clinton has cut Mr Obama's lead in North Carolina to single digits in most polls over recent weeks and the two have been close in Indiana, where she has had the edge.
Before voting began, Mr Obama told reporters in Greenwood, Indiana: "I think we've campaigned hard. I think it's going to be close. I'm seeing a lot of enthusiasm."Before voting began, Mr Obama told reporters in Greenwood, Indiana: "I think we've campaigned hard. I think it's going to be close. I'm seeing a lot of enthusiasm."
Mrs Clinton told reporters in Indianapolis: "Every race is filled with the unexpected. It's like life. You never know what's going to happen."Mrs Clinton told reporters in Indianapolis: "Every race is filled with the unexpected. It's like life. You never know what's going to happen."
Mr Obama, an Illinois senator, has an almost unassailable lead in delegates, the party officials who will choose the nominee at the Democratic convention in August.Mr Obama, an Illinois senator, has an almost unassailable lead in delegates, the party officials who will choose the nominee at the Democratic convention in August.
Barack Obama wants to finish off the Clinton campaignBarack Obama wants to finish off the Clinton campaign
Altogether, 187 delegates are at stake in Indiana and North Carolina, nearly half the remaining total. Six state contests are left.Altogether, 187 delegates are at stake in Indiana and North Carolina, nearly half the remaining total. Six state contests are left.
Mr Obama was leading the race in delegates by 1,745 to 1,608, according to an Associated Press count on Tuesday.Mr Obama was leading the race in delegates by 1,745 to 1,608, according to an Associated Press count on Tuesday.
But neither can win enough delegates to clinch the race before voting ends on 3 June.But neither can win enough delegates to clinch the race before voting ends on 3 June.
This means that nearly 800 super-delegates - senior party members - will have the final say.This means that nearly 800 super-delegates - senior party members - will have the final say.
Clinton 're-energised'Clinton 're-energised'
The two Democrats, courting voters suffering from an ailing economy, have spent recent days sparring over Mrs Clinton's proposal to suspend the federal petrol tax for the summer.The two Democrats, courting voters suffering from an ailing economy, have spent recent days sparring over Mrs Clinton's proposal to suspend the federal petrol tax for the summer.
Mr Obama and many economists called the plan a political gimmick that would save little money for most families.Mr Obama and many economists called the plan a political gimmick that would save little money for most families.
But Mrs Clinton launched an advertisement in both states questioning her rival's stance. She said the plan would be financed by a windfall tax on oil firms.But Mrs Clinton launched an advertisement in both states questioning her rival's stance. She said the plan would be financed by a windfall tax on oil firms.
Mrs Clinton is hoping to persuade Democrats she is the right candidateMrs Clinton is hoping to persuade Democrats she is the right candidate
Analysts say Mrs Clinton saved her candidacy and has been re-energised by her win in Pennsylvania two weeks ago.Analysts say Mrs Clinton saved her candidacy and has been re-energised by her win in Pennsylvania two weeks ago.
Mr Obama has struggled through a rocky campaign stretch, dogged by controversy over his gaffe that small-town residents were "bitter" and fiery criticisms of America by his former pastor, Rev Jeremiah Wright.Mr Obama has struggled through a rocky campaign stretch, dogged by controversy over his gaffe that small-town residents were "bitter" and fiery criticisms of America by his former pastor, Rev Jeremiah Wright.
He sought to draw a line under the preacher row last week by repudiating Mr Wright's remarks as "destructive".
Mr Obama received a publicity boost on Monday with an endorsement from Hollywood star Tom Hanks and narrowly beat Mrs Clinton the day before in a caucus at the tiny Pacific territory of Guam.Mr Obama received a publicity boost on Monday with an endorsement from Hollywood star Tom Hanks and narrowly beat Mrs Clinton the day before in a caucus at the tiny Pacific territory of Guam.
Because of the way the Democratic Party distributes the vote, each candidate won two delegates.Because of the way the Democratic Party distributes the vote, each candidate won two delegates.
The remaining Democratic primaries will take place over the next month in West Virginia, Oregon, Kentucky, Puerto Rico, Montana and South Dakota.The remaining Democratic primaries will take place over the next month in West Virginia, Oregon, Kentucky, Puerto Rico, Montana and South Dakota.