Clinton and Obama face off in West Virginia

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File photo of US presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton. Photo: EFE

US presidential hopeful Barack Obama is looking ahead to two states crucial to Democratic hopes for recapturing the White House in November as he shrugged off what is expected to be an overwhelming and inconsequential win on Tuesday by Hillary Clinton in West Virginia's primary.

Obama made only a brief push on Monday in West Virginia, one of six remaining Democratic contests. Clinton is expected to easily capture the state, where Obama lacks the solid black vote that helped him win elsewhere.

During a stop in Charleston, West Virginia, Obama addressed criticism he expects this fall, emphasising his patriotism and support for a strong and humane military. He broke from his usual practice by wearing an American flag pin on his suit jacket. "I am extraordinarily honoured that some of you will support me. I am grateful. I understand that many more here in West Virginia will probably support Senator Clinton. This is true", Obama said at the rally.

His supporters argued that expectations are such that even a close defeat for their candidate would be the equivalent of a win. "I am more excited, because when I was younger I would have never thought we would see this. So I'm so excited", said Gloria Richmond. A poll taken over the weekend by Suffolk University found Clinton leading Obama among likely Democratic voters 60 percent to 24 percent.

The poll also showed that 40 percent of voters plan to vote for the eventual Democratic nominee regardless of who it is, while 23 percent said they'd consider voting for Republican hopeful John McCain if their preferred candidate doesn't win.

The Clinton campaign is hoping that a huge turnout and major victory in West Virginia can make her competitive in the popular vote, which Obama now leads. Obama also has a commanding lead in pledged delegates and has erased Clinton's lead among superdelegates, the party leaders who can side with any candidate.

In Man, West Virginia table talk was all about Tuesday's primary. But Obama supporters fond themselves in the minority here. However Obama's central campaign theme of change is finding supporters in West Virginia, too. "I just think that for the last twenty years we've had Clintons and Bush and I think that he brings a fresh perspective. He's relatively new to the politics", said Crystal Gibson, an Obama supporter.

Third-party presidential bid

Meanwhile, former Republican congressman Bob Barr launched a third-party presidential bid on Monday, saying voters are hungry for an alternative. Many believe Barr, who wants to run under the Libertarian Party, might peel away votes from McCain given the candidates' similar positions on fiscal policy. Barr said he is not getting into the race to play spoiler or to make a point. Barr first must win the Libertarian nomination at the party's national convention that begins May 22. Some Republicans have tried to discourage Barr from running, saying it could cost McCain votes.