A long path to the race for Pa.

Today the race for the Democratic nomination could end.

But then again, it might not.

If Sen. Hillary Clinton wins the Pennsylvania primary today, it won't be the first time the New York Democrat has bordered on defeat only to rebound against her critics and survive.

According to recent poll averages from Real Clear Politics, Clinton retains only a 5- to 7-percent advantage over Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, with roughly 9 percent undecided.

Clinton's lead has shrunk from a nearly 20-point advantage a month ago - but there was a time this primary season when it appeared doubtful that Pennsylvania would even matter.

The two were virtually tied after Super Tuesday, when more than 20 states cast their ballots. But in the following weeks, Obama pulled ahead in both delegates and the popular vote, winning 11 contests in a row.

But just as Obama seemingly held momentum over Clinton, she won two critical states, Ohio and Texas, on March 4.

That's when Pennsylvania started to count. Since then, the Democratic nomination battle has transpired into a two-way story as the state's primary has neared.

Because Obama maintains a significant lead in both convention delegates and the popular vote, some party leaders have called for Clinton to cede the nomination for the betterment of the party.

A Democratic split could damage the party's prospects against the Republican presumptive nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, in the November general election.

"An extended primary that runs into the summer would make the Republicans happy," said St. Joseph's history professor and political analyst Randall Miller.

Clinton's argument has focused on the party "superdelegates," or distinguished leaders who cast ballots independent of the electorate and could have the power to determine the nomination.

Miller said that if Clinton wins today, her argument to superdelegates - that she alone can defeat McCain - will be "kept alive."

Similarly, her campaign argues that if Obama can't win white working-class voters in Pennsylvania, a typical swing group, then he may not be able to win them in the fall.

But in the seven weeks the race has focused on Pennsylvania, Obama has spent millions introducing himself to voters and narrowing Clinton's lead.

"He wouldn't have spent this much time or money if he didn't think he could win," said Miller.

In Pennsylvania, both candidates have largely targeted groups that have carried their candidacies in every state.

Clinton has relied on rural, working-class voters, while typical Obama supporters are generally under 35 years old and professionally educated.

However, both have actively campaigned to the constituencies of the other in Pennsylvania.

Clinton, for example, has campaigned in Philadelphia more often than Obama - even though Obama is heavily favored in the city.

Student groups have also adjusted to the unexpected primary attention.

Penn for Obama has registered and mobilized potential voters on campus but has worked largely independent of the national campaign, said co-president Michael Stratton, a Wharton freshman.

However, Penn for Hillary co-chairman and College senior David Helfenbeinsaid the group has "worked closely" with the national campaign, which has given them their direction since September.

These groups' rolls have been central to the way the campaigns have approached the state.

"College students have been a top priority," said Obama spokeswoman Debbie Mesloh.

But whether those voters are enough to give Obama a nomination victory won't be known until tonight.

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