It seemed next to impossible just a few days ago: the idea of Senator Obama competing against -- much less beating -- Senator Clinton on her home turf in next month's New York State Democratic primary. But in the wake of his victory in Iowa and polls showing him pulling ahead of Mrs. Clinton in New Hampshire, site of today's primary, the idea of Mr. Obama winning New York has entered the realm of plausibility.

"I am worried," Mayor Koch, who backs Mrs. Clinton, said. "The whole question is whether the country is caught up in an Obama fever. I still believe the best will prevail and she is the best."

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