McCain seeks distance from Bush; Democrats focus on Indiana, North Carolina

UNITED STATES: Sen. John McCain sought to distance himself from the unpopular Republican administration of President George W. Bush, saying he would never have allowed the Government to respond in the “disgraceful way” it did after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, meanwhile, raised $10 million (euro6.34 million) in the 24 hours after winning the Pennsylvania primary, but barely dented rival Barack Obama’s apparently unassailable lead in elected delegates.

The North Carolina primary offers 115 national convention delegates, the largest prize among the nine contests remaining. Indiana, with 72 delegates available, also holds its contest May 6.

In the overall race for the nomination, Obama leads with 1,723.5 delegates, including superdelegates. Clinton had 1,593.5, according to an Associated Press tally.

Washington, Friday, AP