Clinton Fights to the End for Her Place in the Democratic Party

Hillary Clinton's supporters in Indiana say she has "testicular fortitude". She certainly needed it on the night that threatened to end her race for the White House.

Her campaign had been confident of victory in Indiana, pulling out the usual stops for an election party. There was a prime venue in a neo-Moorish Shriner temple in Indianapolis, the giant golden balloons spelling out HILLARY, the confetti and the ritual music on the sound system: Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down and Dolly Parton's Nine to Five.

Then the news arrived of a crushing defeat to Barack Obama in North Carolina. Indiana - the state where Clinton had hoped to make her comeback - was too close to call for hours after the close of polls.

Clinton, taking the stage before the outcome of the Indiana primary was known, appeared unfazed. There was a new more conciliatory note to her speech - she promised to work hard for a Democratic victory in November even if she does not become the nominee - but then Clinton returned to talking tough.

She picked up on her latest campaign theme as champion for the working classes. "I will never give up on you and yon your dreams and on your family," she told supporters in Indianapolis. "I will never stop fighting for you."

Clinton's fondness for a fight - as well as her grit - were already firmly established before her strongest promoter in Indiana, senator Evan Bayh, hailed her "testicular fortitude". In North Carolina, governor Mike Easley, in his endorsement for Clinton said she made Rocky Balboa look like a "pansy".

For Ida Ludwig, drinking whiskey and 7-Up in the ballroom waiting for the results to come in, Clinton's toughness was her best qualification to be president. "I am not sure Barack Obama can turn around things like she can," she said.

But Clinton may not be able to turn things around either despite amply demonstrating her grit and determination in this long and grueling campaign.

Indiana marked the fourth do-or-die contest for Clinton. She won against the odds in New Hampshire, Texas and Ohio, and last month in Pennsylvania.

But even after squeaking out ahead of Obama in Indiana, it was a bad night for Clinton.

The loss by 185,000 votes to Obama in North Carolina left her with even less chance of catching up to his lead in delegates. The voting in big states is over; only six contests lie ahead.

Her campaign conceded it could not catch Obama's lead in pledged delegates. Her campaign manager, Terry McAuliffe, said the strategy was merely to reduce his margin.

That in turn makes it increasingly difficult for Clinton to raise the money she needs to be competitive in the six remaining contests ahead.

Even before the final results were announced, McAuliffe was fending off reporters' questions about whether Clinton had been obliged to lend her campaign more money.

Clinton loaned the campaign 5m after losing a dozen straight contests to Obama in February.

But even while she slipped further behind Obama in the race for the nomination, Clinton remained intent on claiming victory.

"Tonight we came from behind. We have broken the tie, and thanks to you, it is full speed on to the White House," Clinton told her cheering supporters.

However, even her most devoted followers were unsure Clinton's determination would carry her that far.

As Indiana Democratic party leaders began talking up the night's outcome, describing how Clinton had defied expectations in the state, a man at the back of the crowd, let out an exasperated: "So what?"

"She can no longer use the argument that she is ahead in the popular vote because of how she lost in North Carolina," said Melvin Gitler, who had traveled from New York City to help out on the campaign.

"All of the spin is over."