Clinton takes early lead in Indiana Democratic primary

Source: Xinhua | 05-07-2008 15:52

WASHINGTON, May 6 (Xinhua) -- As polls closed in the Democratic primary in Indiana, early results showed Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York ahead of rival Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton  (D-NY) tours race car driver Sarah Fisher's garage at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana May 6, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

With 5 percent of precincts reporting, Clinton led Obama 59-41 percent.

North Carolina are also holding Democratic primary, and polling will close at 2330 GMT.

Poll workers in Indiana and North Carolina reported heavy turnout in the two primaries that could be pivotal in the Democratic presidential nomination battle.

CNN's exit polls show about half of Clinton voters in both states said would not vote for Obama in November's general election if he wins the Democratic nomination.

However, most Obama supporters said they would vote for Clinton if she is the party's nominee.

AP's exit polls find two-thirds of Democratic voters in both states said economy is the top issue.

CBS exit polls show half of the voters in both states value the ability to change most while less than a quarter value experiences most.

In North Carolina, the CNN Poll of Polls released Tuesday indicates Obama is up by 10 percentage points over Clinton, 51 percent to 41 percent.

However, barring the most unexpected -- a blowout in either state, or twin victories by either Obama or Clinton -- the more likely outcome is a continued and inconclusive nomination race.

With neither candidate expected to win the 2,024 delegates needed to clinch the Democratic nomination by June 3, the end of the primary season, the final decision will most likely fall to the 796 so-called super delegates: Democratic governors, members of Congress and party officials.

Both North Carolina and Indiana are also holding Republican primaries Tuesday, but Sen. John McCain of Arizona has already won the 1,191 delegates needed to win the GOP presidential nomination, making the primaries a merely "beauty contest."

Editor:Xiong Qu