Clinton Soldiers On Despite Setbacks

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks to supporters at an early voting event in Dallas. (By Rick Gershon -- Getty Images)

Some Democratic political sources said discussion has begun about encouraging Clinton to transition into a different party leadership role, one that could carry her on a path to becoming Senate majority leader. That course had been discussed even before Clinton announced her presidential campaign. "People who care about her are worried about her long-term future," the adviser said.

On ABC's "Good Morning America," Diane Sawyer pressed Clinton on whether she could achieve her goals without becoming president. "Well, I intend to win, obviously. I'm working very hard and Ohio and Texas are critical states," Clinton said. On NBC's "Today Show," Clinton refused to say whether she would go on if she lost Texas or Ohio, saying, "I don't make predictions."

And on CBS's "Early Show," Clinton was asked outright whether the final moment of Thursday's debate had been a valedictory. "No, of course not," she said. "It is the recognition that both of us are on the brink of historic change. You know, I'm very proud that we have the two of us in this contest seeking the Democratic nomination, hoping to become our next president."

Yet the obstacles to her success are mounting. Earlier this month, Clinton held a daunting lead over Obama among superdelegates, the elected officials and party insiders who account for 796 of the 2,025 needed to secure the Democratic nomination. Unlike pledged delegates awarded through primaries or caucuses, these individuals may switch sides at any time. In the past two weeks, according to an Associated Press survey, Obama has added 25 superdelegates to his column, while Clinton has lost two. She still leads overall, by a count of 241 to 181, according to the AP. But the gap is narrowing.

Obama also is starting to win over key Democrats who have been on the sidelines. Sen. Russell Feingold (Wis.), a prominent liberal, declined to endorse before Tuesday, but declared Friday that he had voted for Obama and was "extremely likely" to support him as a superdelegate.

Murray reported from Washington.