Landslide for Clinton but Obama still in driving seat

HILLARY Clinton has won a landslide victory in West Virginia, but it is thought it will have little impact on the race for the Democratic Party's presidential nomin-ation as the battle for the White House continues today.

Frontrunner Barack Obama paid little attention to the Mountain State, which offered only 28 delegates, and chose instead to turn his attention to November's general election battle against Republican John McCain.

But Mrs Clinton's strong performance, in which she was leading Mr Obama by more than 40 points with 84 per cent of the votes counted, highlighted the difficulties faced by her rival in attracting the support of white blue-collar workers.

The victory was crucial for the former first lady's campaign since she suffered a heavy defeat in North Carolina, and only narrowly won Indiana, last week.

During her victory speech in West Virginia early today, Mrs Clinton told the crowd: "You know I'll never give up. I'll keep on coming back."