Obama declares he's close to nomination

Barack Obama, the winner of the biggest prize left in the Democratic nomination fight, declared tonight that while Hillary Clinton wanted to win North Carolina as a game changer, "today, North Carolina decided that the only game that needs changing is the one in Washington, D.C."

"I want to thank the people of North Carolina. I want to thank them for giving us a victory in a big state, in a swing state, in a state where we will compete if I'm the nominee," he told celebrating, chanting supporters packed inside a basketball arena in Raleigh, N.C.

"Tonight we stand less than 200 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination for president of the United States."

He said the victory showed that it's possible to overcome politics of distraction and division, and that voters reject negative politics. He also dismissed suggestions that the Democratic Party is fatally divided.

He secured what appears to be a decisive victory in North Carolina, overcoming what he had acknowledged were a few tough weeks dominated for large stretches by coverage of the controversy surrounding his former pastor. But he said that he survived, and he moved closer to winning enough delegates to clinch the nomination.