Clinton stays upbeat

By Susan Milligan, Globe Staff

ABOARD THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN PLANE -- So maybe Barack Obama is edging up in Ohio and even leading in some polls in Texas. And OK, Senate colleagues John Kerry and Dick Durbin suggested the time may be coming for her to get out of the race. And yes, New Mexico Governor and former Clinton administration cabinet secretary Bill Richardson went on national television and said the person with more delegates after Tuesday's primaries -- a delegate race Obama now leads -- should be the nominee.

What, Hillary Clinton worry?

``I have to say that I've had a great day in Ohio,'' Clinton told reporters as she headed from her fifth campaign event late Sunday night in Cleveland to go to Toledo, where she planned to meet and greet shift workers at a Chrysler plant before dawn. ``I've had a wonderful time campaigning and feel good about where we are.''

The Democratic contender said she was not disturbed by the excruciatingly close and protracted Democratic primary, which she said was ``great for the party and great for the country.'' And nor is she surprised to see that Texas and Ohio have become such critical states in the nominating process.

``I am never surprised by anything in politics,'' the New York senator said, drinking from an undisclosed beverage contained in a red plastic cup.

Clinton also ferried her friends and supporters, actors Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, who flanked the senator as she spoke in the aisle of the plane.

So how does Danson feel abut his friend, comedic actor and writer Larry David, endorsing Obama? Danson was asked.

``I'm out of that show!'' Danson said with jocular ferocity. ``I'm never going to do it again.''

Clinton added: ``so let;s all curb our enthusiasm,'' a reference to the title of David's HBO comedy show.