WASHINGTON - IF Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton cannot resolve their Democratic presidential battle, maybe the 'superdelegates' can. The states of Michigan and Florida could also lend a hand.

While Mrs Clinton's wins in Ohio and Texas on Tuesday kept her White House hopes alive and prolonged the Democratic race, it also renewed attention on the party's 796 'superdelegates' - Democratic officials and party insiders who are free to back any candidate at the August nominating convention.

Senator Obama has a lead in pledged delegates won in state contests, but neither candidate is likely to gather enough of these to reach the 2,025 votes needed to clinch the nomination without help from these superdelegates.

Mrs Clinton won unsanctioned contests in both states, although the candidates did not campaign in them and Senator Obama removed his name from the ballot in Michigan. Officials in both states renewed calls to settle the dispute so their delegates can be seated.

'We must restore the rights of the more than 5 million voters whose voices have been silenced,' Florida Governor Charlie Crist, a Republican, and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, said in a joint statement.

Members of Congress from both states planned an evening meeting to discuss the situation. Resolving the issue might mean holding new contests if the state parties, the national party and the candidates could agree on the format, timing and financing.

'We're open to continuing to talk about it,' said Mark Bubriski, a spokesman for the Florida Democratic Party. 'We want to make sure Florida Democrats have their voices heard.' Mrs Clinton, a New York senator, has a slight lead over Senator Obama among superdelegates, but Senator Obama rang up about two dozen new endorsements during his February winning streak - including some from former Clinton backers.

Wooing the superdelegates
Both campaigns have intensely courted the more than 350 superdelegates who remain uncommitted. A significant movement toward either candidate could decide the race.

Mr Obama, an Illinois senator, said he believed the superdelegates will eventually line up behind the candidate who has won the most states and has the most pledged delegates - and that will be him.

'My sense from talking to superdelegates is they will be more likely to rally around that candidate to be the Democratic standard bearer,' Senator Obama told reporters.

Clinton adviser Harold Ickes, however, said the unsettled race will make many superdelegates hesitate until the picture becomes a little clearer.

'The uncommitted superdelegates, or automatic delegates, are standing back, they are keeping their powder dry and they are watching this process unfold,' Mr Ickes said. 'They are watching and waiting.'

Many Democrats worry that superdelegates will override the will of voters and their prominence has sparked a broad debate about their role.

'One thing that superdelegates have for the most part is, in many instances, a working relationship with the nominees,' said House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland, who is uncommitted. 'They can make a judgment how effective they will be as leaders, as president.' 'But I frankly don't expect that to be an issue,' Mr Hoyer said, predicting a nominee will be picked by voters before the party's August convention. -- REUTERS

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