Clinton expects superdelegates to decide soon after Tuesday

HELENA: Hillary Rodham Clinton has said she expects uncommitted superdelegates to begin make the choice that will decide her marathon Democratic primary race against Barack Obama soon after Tuesday's primaries.

In a conference call with Montana reporters, Clinton was asked about an effort by top Democratic leaders to push for a quick end to the fight for the presidential nomination after primaries in South Dakota and Montana next week.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that he, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and party chairman Howard Dean will urge uncommitted delegates to choose sides.

Clinton said: "I think that after the final primaries, people are going to start making up their minds. I think that is the natural progression that one would expect."

Clinton said superdelegates -- the party and elected officials who can vote for whomever they choose regardless of what happens in the primaries and caucuses -- will have to decide who is the stronger candidate in the fall to run against Republican John McCain.

"I think that people will have to ask themselves those questions, who would be the best president in terms of preparation and readiness and effectiveness, and who would be the stronger candidate. And I imagine that process will begin after the end of the last primaries," Clinton said.

Last week, Clinton indicated that she might take the fight to the convention in August if Michigan and Florida want to challenge an unfavourable ruling on their delegates.

The two states were stripped of their delegates for holding early primaries; a special Democratic National Committee panel meets today to decide their fate. (