WASHINGTON

Barack Obama is looking ahead to two states crucial to Democratic hopes for recapturing the White House in November as he shrugs off what is expected to be an overwhelming and inconsequential win today for Hillary Clinton in West Virginia's primary.

With Clinton unable to erode his lead in the delegate count, Obama is focusing on an election showdown against John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee. His campaign said Obama would visit Michigan and Florida in a tour of five key battleground states he would need to carry to defeat McCain.

In Charleston yesterday, Obama criticised McCain for opposing a bill to expand education benefits for veterans.

Clinton is expected to capture West Virginia, one of six remaining Democratic contests. A poll yesterday had her leading 60% to Obama's 24% among Democrats in the state.

However, Obama has 1869.5 delegates to Clinton's 1697, with 2025 needed to secure the nomination.

Obama once trailed Clinton in superdelegates, picked up four more yesterday and now leads with 281 to her 271.5.

While Obama and McCain brace for an apparent showdown, Clinton has vowed to stay in the race.-AP