First-time senator trails in polls for upcoming Pennsylvania primary

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MEDFORD, Ore. - Barack Obama refers to the past couple of weeks as a tough, turbulent stretch. And why not?

His foreign policy adviser quit for calling Democratic presidential rival Hillary Rodham Clinton a "monster." Then he had to distance himself from his longtime pastor's fiery statements, a controversy that threatened his image as a uniter.

Obama trails in polls in the upcoming Pennsylvania primary. He also watched his lead wither in national opinion surveys.

But as bad weeks go, things certainly could have been worse. Most importantly, he retains a nearly insurmountable lead in pledged delegates and is winning the popular vote.

It's almost impossible for Clinton to catch Obama in the delegate count, but he can't clinch the nomination through primaries alone. That leaves both candidates trying to woo superdelegates, the party leaders who can vote for whomever they choose.