The former first lady, who is vowing to battle on even as Obama turns his sights on Republican presumptive nominee John McCain, led her foe by 36 points in the latest poll out of West Virginia, which votes on Tuesday.

In Kentucky, which holds its primary on May 20, Clinton was up 58 to 31 per cent, in another poll suggesting Obama faces an uncomfortable two weeks.

Huge wins for Clinton in both states will do little to loosen Obama's mathematical advantage in the epic Democratic nominating contest.

But lopsided loses in the two states could underscore the Illinois senator's struggle to win over white, working-class voters, which could be a problem in November's election.

Arizona senator McCain, who was today giving a major speech on global warming, and Obama are increasingly fighting the early shots in the general election campaign.

The Obama campaign has launched a 50-state voter registration drive and both sides are trying to woo independent voters and are plotting battle plans to be rolled out as soon as the Democratic race is over.

Highlighting his growing focus on November, Obama meanwhile laid plans to campaign on Tuesday in crucial general election swing state Missouri, after stops in West Virginia and Kentucky.

Clinton meanwhile poured her energy into eve of the primary campaigning in West Virginia.

A Suffolk University poll ahead of the primary had Clinton leading Obama by 60 percent to 24 percent.

Source: By DDNEWS