clintons campaign is over she supports obama

[spyro825]

WASHINGTON - Hillary Rodham Clinton ended her historic campaign for the presidency on Saturday and told supporters to unite behind rival Barack Obama, closing out a race that was as grueling as it was groundbreaking.

The former first lady, who as recently as Tuesday declared herself the strongest candidate, gave Obama an unqualified endorsement and pivoted from her role as determined foe to absolute ally.

"The way to continue our fight now to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our energy and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next president of the United States," she said.

Her passionate speech was delivered before cheering supporters packed into the ornate National Building Museum.

"Today as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary campaign he has won. I endorse him and throw my full support behind him and I ask of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me," the New York senator said.

With that and 13 other mentions of his name, Clinton placed herself solidly behind her Senate colleague from Illinois, a political sensation and the first black to secure a major party presidential nomination in the U.S.

Obama, in a statement, declared himself "thrilled and honored" to have Clinton' support.

"I honor her today for the valiant and historic campaign she has run," he said. "She shattered barriers on behalf of my daughters and women everywhere, who now know that there are no limits to their dreams. And she inspired millions with her strength, courage and unyielding commitment to the cause of working Americans."

Poignant moment
For Clinton and her supporters, it was a poignant moment, the end of an extraordinary run that began with an air of inevitability and certain victory. About 18 million people voted for her; it was the closest a woman has come to capturing a nomination.

"Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it has about 18 million cracks in it and the light is shining through like never before," she said.

Indeed, her speech repeatedly returned to the milestone her candidacy represented for women. In primary after primary, her support among women was a solid bloc of her voting coalition. She noted that she had received the support of women who were 80 and 90 years old, born before women could even vote.

She acknowledged the unprecedented success of Obama's candidacy, as well.

"Children today will grow up taking for granted that an African-American or a woman can, yes, become the president of the United States," she said.

Obama secured the 2,118 delegates needed to clinch the nomination Tuesday after primaries in South Dakota and Montana. He planned to spend the weekend at home in Chicago.

Joining Clinton on stage were her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and their daughter, Chelsea, to loud cheers from the crowd. When she spoke, they stepped away.

Keeping her options open
In deciding to suspend her campaign, Clinton kept some options open. She gets to retain her delegates to the nominating convention this summer and she can continue to raise money. It also means she could reopen her campaign if circumstances change before the Denver convention in late August, but she gave no indication that was her intention.

Clinton supporters began lining up at dawn to attend the farewell address. A smattering of Obama backers showed up as well, saying they did so as a gesture of party unity.

Supporters and press jammed the museum's vast ground floor, with the second and third floor balconies quickly filling up as well. The stage was draped with American flags, and a sound system blared upbeat music.

As they awaited her arrival, campaign staffers milled the room, exchanging hugs and saying goodbye.

Clinton seemed almost buoyant in her address, feeding off the energy of a loud and appreciative crowd.

"Well, this isn't exactly the party I planned but I sure like the company," she said as she opened her speech.

'A somber day'
Clinton backers described themselves as sad and resigned.

"This is a somber day," said Jon Cardinal, one of the first in line. Cardinal said he planned, reluctantly, to support the Illinois senator in the general election. "It's going to be tough after being against Obama for so long," he said.

Obama and Clinton had a face-to-face meeting Thursday evening at the Washington home of a Senate colleague, California Democrat Dianne Feinstein.

Clinton was expected to campaign for Obama and to help with fundraising, while seeking his assistance in retiring her $30 million campaign debt. The New York senator has told colleagues she would be interested in joining Obama as his vie presidential running mate.

The undisputed front-runner when she announced her candidacy in January 2007, Clinton saw her march to the nomination derailed a year later after being swamped by Obama in Iowa's leadoff caucuses. She stayed alive after a narrow victory in New Hampshire five days later. But her campaign never fully regained its footing despite strong showings in several big-state primaries beginning in March.

[larrymeyer]

You know why even bother to vote in the primaries any more. As far as I'm concerned she just kicked the people in any state like PA that she carried. All the states she carried should now vote Republican. And the primary election should been done away with.

You should be able to vote for who you want the whoever wins so be it. It would give everyone a fair chance and it should all be done in all states on the same day

[spyro825]

i completely agree with larry. ou should be able to vote for who u want. im hopinh mcain whoops obama in the primary

[jb12string]

Originally Posted by spyro825

i completely agree with larry. ou should be able to vote for who u want. im hopinh mcain whoops obama in the primarygeneral

There, fixed it for you

[pirateron]

I still hope Jesse Ventura throws his hat in the ring.. I mean, I don't like either candidate, and I am sick of having to vote for the lesser of two evils. The 2 party political system just does not work. I have multiple choices if I want fast food, I have multiple choices what car to buy, I have multiple choices where to shop, but I only have 2 choices for the leader of my Country???? Sounds just like my cable choices, or my water company (lack of) choices or my garbage company (lack of) choices... HMMMMM, do I want the Government controlling my life, or do I want the Government taking away my rights?

[nijwnfi]

In deciding to suspend her campaign, Clinton kept some options open. She gets to retain her delegates to the nominating convention this summer and she can continue to raise money. It also means she could reopen her campaign if circumstances change before the Denver convention in late August, but she gave no indication that was her intention.

The above quote says it all. She is waiting for some good dirt to be dug up on Obama, or that racist nutjob of a wife of his. She knows there's something out there. If she really felt it was over, why did she still retain her delegates? Don't count her out until after the convention.

[jb12string]

maybe she'll just have obama whacked. Seems to me there were several suspicious deaths surrounding the Clintons the last time they lived on PA AVE

[Zeke]

Hillary thought that it was all over but the coronation.
Glad to see her get her butt handed to her.
However, considering the Clintoons power at any price attitude I'm still wary of her.
Zeke

[Cheeseybacon]

Originally Posted by jb12string

maybe she'll just have obama whacked. Seems to me there were several suspicious deaths surrounding the Clintons the last time they lived on PA AVE

Originally Posted by Zeke

However, considering the Clintoons power at any price attitude I'm still wary of her.
Zeke

These very same thoughts have been running through my mind for a while now. I wouldn't put it past Hillary at all, for as much of a megalomaniac as she is. If Obama and Hillary were to run as a team the in general election and actually won, I'd be having someone taste all of my food before I ate anything, if I were Obama.

[Zeke]

Hitlery for VP?
She already had that job once.
Zeke