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Democrats to hold final primaries Democrats vote in final primaries
(about 1 hour later)
The US Democratic Party is set to hold the last two primary elections in its marathon presidential nomination race. The US Democratic Party is holding the last two primary elections in its marathon presidential nomination race.
As Montana and South Dakota go to the polls, Barack Obama is widely thought to be poised to become the first black nominee of a major US political party.As Montana and South Dakota go to the polls, Barack Obama is widely thought to be poised to become the first black nominee of a major US political party.
Speculation is rife that rival Hillary Clinton may be close to pulling out.Speculation is rife that rival Hillary Clinton may be close to pulling out.
Mr Obama, who has won more pledged delegates and has the party nomination within reach, is already eyeing the general election in November.Mr Obama, who has won more pledged delegates and has the party nomination within reach, is already eyeing the general election in November.
He is just more than 40 delegates short of the 2,218 needed to clinch the Democratic nomination at the August convention where the candidate is selected. He is just 41.5 delegates short of the 2,218 needed to clinch the Democratic nomination at the August convention where the candidate is selected, according to the Associated Press.
While there are only 31 elected delegates at stake on Tuesday, Mr Obama could gain the support of enough of the remaining uncommitted "super-delegates" - party officials with a free choice over who to support - to pass the winning post.While there are only 31 elected delegates at stake on Tuesday, Mr Obama could gain the support of enough of the remaining uncommitted "super-delegates" - party officials with a free choice over who to support - to pass the winning post.
DELEGATE COUNT Total delegates: Obama, 2,076; Clinton, 1,917Super-delegates: Obama, 338; Clinton, 292Winner needs 2,118 delegatesSouth Dakota and Montana have 31 elected delegates between them Source: AP at 1030 GMT on 3 June Fight to the end DELEGATE COUNT Winner: Needs 2,118 delegatesTotal delegates: Obama, 2,076; Clinton, 1,917Super-delegates: Obama, 338; Clinton, 292South Dakota and Montana have 31 elected delegates between themAbout 200 super-delegates remain uncommitted Source: AP at 1200 GMT on 3 June Fight to the end
The real drama will start in the moments after Tuesday's polls close, says BBC North America Editor Justin Webb.The real drama will start in the moments after Tuesday's polls close, says BBC North America Editor Justin Webb.
That is when Mr Obama is hoping for a flood of endorsements from so far undecided super-delegates, our correspondent says, and such a flood could, within hours, force Mrs Clinton to end her bid.That is when Mr Obama is hoping for a flood of endorsements from so far undecided super-delegates, our correspondent says, and such a flood could, within hours, force Mrs Clinton to end her bid.
Mr Obama picked up several endorsements from super-delegates on Monday, and the backing of South Carolina Representative Jim Clyburn, an influential African-American politician, was expected to follow on Tuesday.Mr Obama picked up several endorsements from super-delegates on Monday, and the backing of South Carolina Representative Jim Clyburn, an influential African-American politician, was expected to follow on Tuesday.
Mrs Clinton's staff have indicated that she will stay in the race for the time being, but the overwhelming expectation is that she will pull out by the end of the week.Mrs Clinton's staff have indicated that she will stay in the race for the time being, but the overwhelming expectation is that she will pull out by the end of the week.
There are reports that members of her team have been asked to hand in their expenses.There are reports that members of her team have been asked to hand in their expenses.
She is expected to spend election night in New York, her home state.She is expected to spend election night in New York, her home state.
Polls are due to close at 1900 (0000 and 0100 GMT) across two time zones in South Dakota and at 2000 (0200 GMT) in Montana.
'Extraordinary race''Extraordinary race'
Mr Obama is due to speak in St Paul, Minnesota, where the Republicans will hold their convention in September and formally nominate Senator John McCain as their candidate.Mr Obama is due to speak in St Paul, Minnesota, where the Republicans will hold their convention in September and formally nominate Senator John McCain as their candidate.
The sooner we can bring the party together, the better, so we can focus on John McCain and taking back the White House Barack ObamaThe sooner we can bring the party together, the better, so we can focus on John McCain and taking back the White House Barack Obama
This can be read as a clear signal that he has his mind now on the task ahead - the general election in November, our correspondent adds.This can be read as a clear signal that he has his mind now on the task ahead - the general election in November, our correspondent adds.
Mr Obama appears well aware that he must quickly bring Mrs Clinton's disappointed supporters on board and heal divisions within the party.Mr Obama appears well aware that he must quickly bring Mrs Clinton's disappointed supporters on board and heal divisions within the party.
He told reporters in Michigan that in a call to Mrs Clinton following her weekend win in Puerto Rico's primary, he had congratulated her on running "an extraordinary race" and working incredibly hard.He told reporters in Michigan that in a call to Mrs Clinton following her weekend win in Puerto Rico's primary, he had congratulated her on running "an extraordinary race" and working incredibly hard.
"I told her that once the dust settled I'm looking forward to meeting with her at a time and place of her choosing," he said."I told her that once the dust settled I'm looking forward to meeting with her at a time and place of her choosing," he said.
"The sooner we can bring the party together, the better, so we can focus on John McCain and taking back the White House.""The sooner we can bring the party together, the better, so we can focus on John McCain and taking back the White House."
But efforts to bring the Democratic contest to a gentle end have been hampered by a new outburst from former President Bill Clinton.But efforts to bring the Democratic contest to a gentle end have been hampered by a new outburst from former President Bill Clinton.
He accused Mr Obama of getting other people to smear Mrs Clinton, and the press of being pro-Obama and providing the most rigged election coverage in modern history.He accused Mr Obama of getting other people to smear Mrs Clinton, and the press of being pro-Obama and providing the most rigged election coverage in modern history.
Mrs Clinton's campaign suffered a setback at the weekend when the party made a compromise decision on the contested delegates from Florida and Michigan - previously debarred from taking part.
Although the party decided to allow them to attend, the delegates will have only half a vote each.
That decision meant that although Mr Obama's lead was reduced, Mrs Clinton did not gain as many delegates as she had hoped.