Obama: Clinton is the frontrunner (Extra)

Feb 6, 2008, 16:50 GMT

Washington - Barack Obama declared Wednesday his chief rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Hillary Clinton, was the 'frontrunner' even though the outcome in the biggest day of voting so far left the two candidates in a tight race.

Obama, speaking in Chicago, said Clinton's a 'formidable opponent' because of her strong name recognition and well-managed campaign in the state-by-state competition to win the nomination.

'This makes her the front runner in every single contest,' Obama, 46, said after the 'Super Tuesday' contests in 24 states.

Clinton captured the biggest states, including California and New York Tuesday night, but Obama carried more states - 13 - compared to Clinton's eight. New Mexico, which was too close to call, had yet to announce a final result as mid-day approached.

'This campaign is gaining momentum by the day,' Obama said while trying to maintain his status as an underdog.

Neither Clinton or Obama was able to emerge as the clear leader on the Democratic side, in contrast to the Republicans. John McCain won nine of the 21 states at stake in the Republican race and took a decisive step toward capturing his party's nomination.

Obama denied that a dragged out race with Clinton would leave Democrats divided and weaken their chances heading into the November 4 general election against their Republican opponent.

'I think it would be a problem is Senator Clinton's voters disliked me, or my voters disliked Senator Clinton,' he said. 'I don't think that's the case.'