Obama Hamstrung by 'Nearly Nominee' Status

Barack Obama is feeling like a winner but unable to start campaigning like one, the New York Times reports. The almost-nominee can't go after John McCain the way he would if he had the nomination sewn up for fear of infuriating Hillary Clinton's supporters, aides say. He also is still unable to completely write off Clinton's challenge for the Democratic nomination.

Obama made a campaign visit to Rush Limbaugh's Missouri hometown yesterday, and appeared more relaxed and confident than he was a few weeks ago. But the in-between status of his campaign showed when he fielded a question about choosing Clinton for a running mate. "We haven’t resolved this nomination,” Obama said. “It would be presumptuous of me to pretend like I’ve already won." (More Barack Obama stories.)