Obama takes North Carolina; Clinton nears Indiana victory (3rd Lead)

May 7, 2008, 1:13 GMT

Washington - Barack Obama won North Carolina's Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday, while rival Hillary Clinton appeared close to victory in Indiana.

Obama led 61 per cent to 39 per cent in North Carolina with 26 per cent of precincts reporting. All major US television networks projected Obama's victory in the south-eastern state immediately when polling stations closed.

In Indiana, Clinton was leading by 53 per cent to 47 per cent over Obama with nearly 70 per cent of precincts reporting, but only CBS News was prepared to call the state for Clinton.

A split decision by voters had been expected in the two largest states left after four months of voting in the Democratic nomination contest. Both sides had played down expectations of landing a knock- out blow.

Obama was favoured in North Carolina, a southern state more than 30 per cent of voters were African American. Clinton was leading in the Midwestern state of Indiana, which has a large population of working-class white voters who more often favour the former first lady.

Obama's chief strategist David Axelrod said that North Carolina represented 'a meaningful victory (that) continues our momentum to the nomination.'

Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe said his side was 'cautiously optimistic' of a win in Indiana.

In the quest for the 2,025 delegates needed to capture the Democratic nomination, Obama currently leads by 1,743 to 1,606 for Clinton, according to a count by website realclearpolitics.com. North Carolina has 115 and Indiana 72 delegates up for grabs.

With just 200 delegates left in the six electoral contests remaining after Tuesday, both campaigns have turned to persuading nearly 300 undecided super-delegates - Democratic elected officials and party leaders - who could still potentially swing the nomination in either candidate's favour.

The high cost of petrol in the United States had dominated much of the discussion as Obama and Clinton crisscrossed the states in the final days.

Clinton has lobbied for a federal petrol tax holiday over the three summer months, a move Obama has called a political 'gimmick' that would save voters little money.