The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Washington

Democrat Barack Obama promised Americans a clean break from Washington's politics-as-usual as he campaigned Saturday to sew up the Democratic presidential nomination and rally more superdelegates to his side.

Since Obama's convincing win in North Carolina on Tuesday over rival Clinton and their photo-finish in Indiana, 12 more of the Democratic Party elite who have a say on the nomination contest have swung over to the Illinois senator, including seven in 24 hours.

The trickle of support is predicted to turn into a flood, with only six primaries now left in their marathon battle to carry the party's flag into the November presidential elections against Republican John McCain.

Former candidate John Edwards, who dropped out of the close race in late January, stopped short of endorsing Obama on Friday, but said he has virtually wrapped up the contest ahead of the last primaries on June 3.

"Let's just assume that Barack is the nominee because it's headed in that direction," he told NBC television.