Heading into Tuesday, Sen. Hillary Clinton had to win big in Indiana and do better than expected in North Carolina, keeping that key race close.

Didn’t happen.

In the North Carolina primary, Obama won convincingly, recording an easy 14-percent win and a popular vote margin of more than 200,000.

Meanwhile, Clinton squeaked through in Indiana with one of the narrowest wins of the almost 50 held this year, defeating Obama 51-49 percent.

Hillary Clinton’s chances of defeating Barack Obama dwindled last night.

Based on the margins of victory in North Carolina and Indiana, Obama added to his leads in popular votes and pledged delegates. Including superdelegate estimates, he is currently just 184.5 shy of the 2,025 needed to win the nomination.

Looking ahead, there are some bright spots for the resilient Clinton campaign - but they may not be enough to overcome her remaining deficit.

Next week, the campaign shifts to West Virginia, where demographics and socioeconomic factors bode well for her. On May 20, Kentucky and Oregon hold primaries, with Clinton favored heavily in the former.

But unless she scores landside wins in these contests - as well as June 1 in Puerto Rico - the delegates will be split more or less evenly. It will be difficult for her to overcome his popular vote lead, as well.

One of the main challenges for Hillary Clinton - who lent herself another $6 million today will be to raise enough money to compete with Obama.

The Democratic superdelegates will be watching her financial situation to assess her continued viability. Another major hurdle for Clinton will be to convince Democratic leaders that Michigan and Florida should count.

Bottom line: It’s extremely unlikely.

Despite a rocky couple of months, Barack Obama bent but did not break.

Through it all, he continually outpaced Clinton. The seas were stormy, but the tide did not turn. Her grit and determination proved a formidable match for Obama’s fortitude, but the Illinois senator prevailed.

The finish line is now in sight: 2,025 delegates. Obama won’t get there without the superdelegates making it official. All he has to do from here on out is leave no doubt in their minds that this is the action they must take.

On the flip side, the pressure is on Hillary Clinton to find a way to stop what now looks like a slow, but unstoppable Obama coronation.