He can now claim 1,846.5, according to the Associated Press, while Clinton has 1,696. Candidates need 2,025 delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination and 217 delegates are at stake in the final six primaries.

On Wednesday, Obama's Campaign Manager David Plouffe emphasized press reports that Clinton made three separate loans to her campaign totaling $6.4 million within the last 30 days and at least $11.4 million since February.

"Barack Obama is now just 169 delegates away from winning the Democratic nomination. It's within sight," Plouffe wrote in an email to supporters using the campaign's delegate total. "This is a decisive moment in this race."

Also on Wednesday, the Obama campaign said that four superdelegates - party leaders so named because they not tied to their state's election results and can vote for the candidate of their choosing - endorsed him. The list included Virginia's Jennifer McClellan, who formerly supported Clinton.

Clinton picked up another delegate in Rep. Heath Shuler, who said he would support whoever won his district in North Carolina.

This state's Clinton superdelegates remained committed.

Democratic Party Chairman Joseph Cryan called the results "a split decision" but acknowledged Obama had a better night.

"My sense would be the same: delegates who are pledged to the candidates should stay there," state Assemblyman Cryan, D-Union, said. "I think ultimately when you pledge to a candidate you should allow the candidate to exercise good judgement and take a leadership role in the party."

U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews, D-1st, said the results did not alter his support for Clinton. But he worried what would happen if the primary fight lasted to the August convention.

"I think the party can't have this contest going on much longer," Andrews said. "The superdelegates should make up their mind, if not sooner than shortly after June 3."

"You need 60 days to run a general-election presidential campaign," he said. "John McCain is planning and executing his campaign right now."

U.S. Rep. Steven Rothman, D-9th, an Obama superdelegate and the state's top Obama campaign adviser, said it was "practically impossible" for Clinton to catch up in the numbers of elected delegates, popular vote and contests won. He urged her to consider ending her campaign.

"I believe that now is the time for Senator Clinton to begin working with the Obama camp in seeing how best to transition herself from a candidate for the Democratic nomination to a supporter of uniting the party behind Senator Obama," said Rothman, the Obama campaign's northeast region co-chair.

"In the end, though, that will be Senator Clinton's decision."

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., an uncommitted superdelegate, will not endorse either candidate until all of the states' primary elections have been held, spokeswoman Julie Roginsky said.

The Associated Press and Political Editor John Froonjian contributed to this story.

To e-mail Derek Harper at The Press:

dharper@pressofac.com