and Hillary Clinton duelHillary Clinton, who began the race for the Democratic nomination as the seemingly unstoppable choice of the party establishment, is ending it as an outsider railing against the perceived injustices that have taken her to the brink of defeat.
Busloads of her supporters will converge on Washington today for protests outside a meeting of a party rules committee. Bill Clinton has adopted the language of conspiracy theorists as he attacks a “cover-up” by unseen hands intent on wrecking his wife's chances. Aides mutter darkly about media bias, sexism and double standards.
The candidate is unrelenting, telling rallies: “We have not gone through this exciting, unprecedented, historical election only to lose.”
However, the Democratic leadership is starting to gather around Barack Obama's standard as he prepares for battle with John McCain in November's general election.
The Senate Majority leader, Harry Reid, the House of Representatives Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and Howard Dean, the party chairman, have sent out clear signals that they expect the race to end in a matter of days.
“We agree there won't be a fight at the convention
. The time has come to make a decision,” Mr Reid said. “By this time next week, it will all be over.”
Mr Obama is said to have up to three dozen super-delegates waiting to announce their support next week, pushing him ever closer to, or even over, the finishing line for the nomination. At least one big name, the House majority whip, James Clyburn, is expected to announce his endorsement on Tuesday morning even as primaries take place in Montana and South Dakota.
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