OBAMA SURGES AHEAD

"We now need to unify the Democratic Party and focus on electing Sen. Obama and a working majority in the United States Senate. That is how we can change the direction of the country," Tom Allen, Maine REP

Obama has surpassed Clinton in the race for superdelegates as the party begins to close ranks around the winner of the most delegates. Today Obama picked up endorsements from Maine Rep. Tom Allen and Dolly Strazar, a superdelegate from Hawaii.

Allen, who is seeking election to the Senate, called on Clinton to stand down and bring a graceful end to the primary campaign.

Obama now leads in the race for superdelegates, 275 to Clinton's 273. At the beginning of the year, Clinton led the superdelegate race by more than 100. Obama has a comfortable lead in overall delegates, 1,866 to Clinton's 1,697.

The Democrats next face off Tuesday in West Virginia, where Clinton is expected to win by big margins.