The battle for the Democratic Party nomination is “nowhere near over” as the two presidential hopefuls are exchanging jabs. According to the latest polls, New York Senator Hillary Clinton has a comfortable lead in Kentucky primary, while her opponent, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, has the same advantage before the state of Oregon holds primary elections.
However, nobody expects much from the primaries in those two states. The most they could do is illustrate once again how divided the Democratic voters are when it comes to picking their presidential candidate.
Clinton leads 58 percent to 28 percent in Kentucky, a state dominated by working-class voters, an important source of support for the former first lady throughout her campaign.
On the other hand, Oregon is “abundant” in young and higher-educated voters, Obama’s big source of support. The Illinois senator holds a 50 percent to 40 percent advantage over Clinton in Oregon.
The two candidates are currently making efforts to draw as many voters as possible in the above mentioned states. Senator Clinton is campaigning Monday in Kentucky and she is receiving some help from her husband, former US President Bill Clinton, and their daughter Chelsea who are on the trail in Oregon.
Barack Obama’s speech held on Sunday on the banks of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon has drawn 75,000 people - the biggest audience of his campaign so far. The Illinois senator will campaign in Montana on Monday.
Because she is still trailing Obama in pledged delegates, super delegates as well as in the popular vote, Clinton faced calls to drop out of the race. However, the NY senator wouldn’t have it and argued that she has a lead over Obama in the popular vote, counting the Florida and Michigan primaries.
“This is nowhere near over. None of us is going to have the delegates we need to get to the nomination” said Clinton.