Democratic party panel rules in fight over Michigan, Florida delegates, Obama quits his church

Barack Obama was within striking distance of the Democratic nomination heading into Puerto Rico's primary Sunday after top party officials agreed to seat Michigan and Florida delegates with half-votes, riling Hillary Rodham Clinton backers who threatened to fight to the August convention.

The Rules Committee's compromise decision sought to end a bitter dispute that threatened Democrats' chances for the White House but it was a blow to Clinton, whose struggling campaign had pressed hard for a full reinstating of all 366 delegates from the two states.

It drew irate reactions from her supporters in the audience and her chief delegate counter, Harold Ickes, who …