Once considered one of the main issues that will dominate the 2008 presidential campaign, immigration reform appears to have taken a back seat in both the McCain and Obama election policy initiatives according to AP.

In their desire the capture the powerful Latino vote, both Obama and McCain have downplayed calls to step up reform -- indeed both Obama and McCain have supported an amnesty for millions of illegal immigrants -- yet both remain troubled by a conservative backlash.
Image right: McCain campaigning  in Portsmouth,NH 2008.

Barack Obama today made history as he garnered enough delegates to ensure he wrapped up the marathon Democratic nomination for the presidency.

Image: Sen. Obama campaigning in Des Moines,Iowa. Credit: Joe Crimmings Photography/flickr

The Illinois senator picked up enough delegates from the final two primaries in Montana and South Dakota and gains in superdelegates to give him the win, making him the first African-American to lead his party.

There was no immediate sign of concession from Sen. Hillary Clinton though, who told supporters at a rally that she would be making no decisions on her future tonight.

However she has pledged to "to do what it takes" to get the Democratic nominee in the White House in November, a sign she may be interested in the job as Obama's running mate.

Sen. Obama has described the event as a "defining moment for our nation".