Hillary's Demolition Derby; Clinging On: Hillary and Bill Clinton Celebrate in Pennsylvania Next Battle: Barack and Michelle Obama Campaigning in Indiana

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Byline: Gavin Esler

THE Democratic presidential election contest is turning into the onething neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama wanted: a Demolition Derby.

Instead of a clear winner, it's become a race in circles on a dirt track withplenty of destruction and no end in sight.

Despite Senator Clinton's nine per cent win in Pennsylvania yesterday only oneclear winner is emerging from the wreckage - the Republican candidate, SenatorJohn McCain.

As Clinton and Obama prepare to slug it out all the way to the party conventionin August, McCain can rise above the mud-slinging and appear presidential.

The danger of their situation is not lost on the Democrats. On the eve of thePennsylvania vote, an American comedian asked Senator Obama if he hasnightmares about waking up next year in the White House, after he has becomepresident, and finding Hillary Clinton is STILL running against him? Obama hadthe good grace to laugh but with Clinton declaring that Americans deserve 'apresident who doesn't quit,' he may wonder if the only thing which will stopher now is a stake driven through her heart at midnight.

For months - it seems like years - Democratic and Republican strategists havebeen planning how they want this election to go.

The Democrats' plan was roughly this: George Bush's crippling unpopularitywould help Hillary and Barack excite …