Pennsylvania campaign gains pace

Senator Clinton needs to win the state to stay in the race

US Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have sought to rally support ahead of a key primary election in Pennsylvania.

Polls have given Mrs Clinton a lead over Mr Obama in Tuesday's contest.

It is the first primary to take place since Mississippi's in early March. That was won by Mr Obama, who is ahead in the overall Democratic contest.

The primary is expected to be the most decisive in the race to be the party's candidate in the November election.

In the last six weeks, the rivalry between the two candidates has gained pace - despite the fact that no states have been voting.

Narrow lead

On Sunday, both Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama took part in rallies and events across Pennsylvania.

Mr Obama addressed a rally in the town of Reading, Pennsylvania.

"You have a real choice in this election. Either Democrat would be better than John McCain," he told the crowd.

Mrs Clinton was in defiant mood at a meeting in York, saying: "I don't want to just show up and give one of those whoop-dee-do speeches and get everybody whipped up," she said. "I want everyone thinking."

Analysts say Mrs Clinton must win Tuesday's primary if she is to have any chance of becoming the Democratic Party presidential candidate.

Senator Obama has been criticised for comments made about the state

A win for Mrs Clinton would still not put her ahead of Mr Obama.

The latest count of pledged delegates to the party's national convention in August, according to the Associated Press, gives Mr Obama the support of 1,638 delegates and Mrs Clinton 1,502.

In the race for the Pennsylvania primary, both candidates have been criticised for comments they have made.

Mr Obama has said his remarks about "bitter" working-class people "clinging to guns or religion" were ill-chosen.

After a storm of criticism from his rivals - Mrs Clinton and Republican John McCain - Mr Obama said he "didn't say it as well as I should have".

For her part, Mrs Clinton apologised for inaccurately saying she came under sniper fire in Bosnia in 1996.

Critics said she had exaggerated the dangerousness of the situation.