Democrats look for silver lining in long race

By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The prolonged White House struggle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton has some Democrats worried about getting a late start on the November race but others see a silver lining if the fight ends amicably.

Republicans have settled on Arizona Sen. John McCain as their candidate in November but after Clinton's big wins in Ohio and Texas on Tuesday, Democrats appear likely to continue their presidential race until the end of the primary schedule in June, if not the August convention.

A lengthy nominating battle will not hurt and could help if it ends before the convention with a unified party, Democrats say. But they worry the winner could emerge from the convention wounded, financially broke and leading a splintered party -- with barely two months to concentrate on the general election.

"The one thing we know is that we have no idea what is going to happen. I don't think anyone thought we would be here," said Simon Rosenberg, head of the Democratic advocacy group NDN. "We don't know if a longer primary race is good or bad -- it depends on how it ends up."

For now, Democrats see plenty of positive signs -- Democratic voter turnout is up, party fund raising has skyrocketed and the race between Obama and Clinton has attracted new voters and high interest.

"The upside of the debate has been very positive for the Democrats and whatever minor downside there may be will be wiped away by the enthusiasm for our candidate when he or she is chosen," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, who has remained neutral in the race.

Obama, an Illinois senator, and Clinton, a New York senator, have said the longer primary battle is not necessarily a problem in the general election.

"One of the benefits of a long contest is we're going to come through it very organized in most states in the country. That is really going to benefit us," said David Plouffe, Obama's campaign manager.