Obama doesn't plan victory declaration

WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- Sen. Barack Obama's campaign says it won't declare victory in the Democratic presidential nomination race, a shift from an adviser's earlier remarks.

After winning big in North Carolina and losing narrowly to Sen. Hillary Clinton in Indiana, an Obama adviser said the campaign was "going to declare victory" after Tuesday's contests in Kentucky and Oregon, The Politico reported Monday.

Aides to the Illinois senator have been trying to erase the idea that he would declare victory, which analysts said shows concern about being seen as disrespectful of Clinton and the sensitive nature of the campaign, the Washington publication said.

Obama, campaigning in Oregon, said he hasn't sent mixed signals.

"What we have consistently said is that we will have the majority of pledged delegates ... (and) we are going to make the argument to any superdelegates remaining that we should be the nominee," Obama said.

Democratic Party leaders said the party's chances against presumptive GOP nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona depend upon Clinton and Obama mending fences in what has been a sometimes bitter campaign.

"Right now, it is all about unifying the party," said Peter Fenn, a Democratic strategist unaffiliated with either campaign.