The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Washington

Democrats came under mounting pressure Monday to close ranks behind a single candidate, as Hillary Clinton struggles to wrest the mathematical advantage from Barack Obama to win their party's nod for the White House. The bitter presidential campaign faces weeks of harsh confrontation ahead of next month's crucial primary clash in Pennsylvania, one of 10 remaining contests to decide who will face off against Republican John McCain in November's election. New York Senator Clinton is in an uphill battle to close the gap between her and Obama, the Illinois senator who holds a lead in the number of nominating delegates, the nationwide popular vote and the number of contests won in the campaign. Clinton's chances of snatching a victory are receding by the day, analysts said, with respected US newspaper Politico stressing Obama would have to be "hit by a political meteor" for Clinton to win the Democratic death-match. Clinton's own campaign reportedly has acknowledged that there is virtually no way she can finish ahead of Obama in pledged delegates.