Barack Obama claimed a 'milestone' majority of elected delegates in the Democratic White House race, despite Hillary Clinton's thumping win in the first of Tuesday's two primary votes. Obama, 46, on a historic quest to become America's first black president, told delirious supporters he was now "within reach" of the nomination, after a gruelling 16-month battle with the former first lady. The Illinois senator fired up delirious supporters in the midwestern state of Iowa, where he upended the Democratic race with victory in the first nominating contest in January.