The Democratic presidential contest is now between an unstoppable force and an immovable object....

...A senior adviser to Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has suggested that she - along with other "party elders" - will step into the ring if they feel that Democratic hopes of winning back the White House or maintaining control over Congress are being threatened. Ms Pelosi insists that she remains neutral in the race and that her "focus is on reelecting a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives".

However, her voice would carry great authority among many uncommitted super-delegates on Capitol Hill - and she is said by one of those close to her to be leaning towards Mr Obama. "The party Establishment is not going to turn its back on a candidate who is generating this tremendous excitement and bringing all these new voters into the political process," an adviser said. Mr Obama's team is busy pushing the same message, telling members of Congress in districts where he has already won that they would be foolish to alienate their core vote in an election year.

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