Obama faces big tests today

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama faces tests in the North Carolina and Indiana primaries this week that will help determine whether he has survived a rough patch and can finally defeat Hillary Clinton.

Democratic strategists believe Illinois Senator Obama has weathered the worst month of his campaign as well as could be expected, given the attention over his former pastor's racially charged rhetoric and his own comments that small-town Americans are bitter and cling to guns and religion.

"He has taken a real hit, no question about it," said Democratic strategist Jim Duffy. "But he seems to be righting himself".