Gap closing but Obama’s lead still substantial

US DEMOCRAT Barack Obama’s big lead over rival Hillary Clinton has slipped but is still substantial two days before the US presidential primary election in South Carolina, where candidates were competing vigorously to win support from black voters.

Former president Bill Clinton, whose wife is battling with challenger John Edwards to stay out of third place in South Carolina, lashed out at Mr Obama and the media for elevating race in the campaign.

Mr Obama’s lead fell three points overnight to give him a 39% to 24% edge over Ms Clinton in South Carolina, according to a poll released yesterday.

Mr Edwards, a former senator from neighbouring North Carolina, climbed four points to reach 19% — within striking distance of Ms Clinton and second place.

The shifts have occurred since Monday night’s angry debate in Myrtle Beach, where Mr Obama and Ms Clinton traded harsh accusations about their records and Mr Edwards chastised the pair for squabbling.

Since then, the pair have cranked up their bitter fight for the Democratic nomination in November’s election. to succeed George Bush.

Both candidates prepared harsh radio ads in South Carolina on Wednesday attacking each other.

Bill Clinton said on Wednesday it was unfair that his wife had been accused of “playing the race card” in the campaign.

“This is almost like once you accuse somebody of racism or bigotry or something, the facts become irrelevant. There are facts here,” he said, adding that the media was concentrating on racial tensions instead of focusing on issues that were important to voters.

“This is what you live for. But this hurts the people of South Carolina,” he told reporters. Pollster John Zogby said Monday’s debate had shifted sentiment among voters in the southern state.

“Since the debate, Obama and Clinton have dropped and Edwards has been rising,” said Mr Zogby. “There is definitely some movement here.”

Mr Obama’s dip came largely among black voters, expected to make up more than half of the Democratic primary electorate in South Carolina tomorrow.