To convince the party that the tide has begun to turn in her favour, Clinton must not only win Indiana, but must stop Obama in North Carolina. African Americans form nearly 22 per cent of the southern state and form nearly 40 per cent of registered voters in the Democratic Party.

North Carolina has also become home to a range of new white upper middle class professionals who have rallied around Obama. According to some polls, Obama enjoys an unbeatable 16 per cent lead over Clinton. The challenge for Clinton lies in finding a way to regain at least a part of the African American vote that once swore by Bill and Hillary. It will take a miracle; but then two weeks is a long time in politics.

The writer is professor at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore iscrmohan@ntu.edu.sg