Despite a turn of fortunes that also saw her in a tight race with
Confetti rained down on her Ohio rally as she took the stage. She told the crowd, "This nation's coming back and so is this campaign."
Earlier, Clinton broke Obama's winning streak by taking Rhode Island after Obama was declared the winner in Vermont. It was a costly rash of defeats for Clinton over the weeks, only partly redeemed Tuesday night because both Democrats divided the delegates at stake.
"Boy, thank you Ohio," she said, dragging out the "Ohhh."
"For everyone here in Ohio and across America who's ever been counted out but refused to be knocked out," she said, "and for everyone who has stumbled and stood right back up, and for everyone who works hard and never gives up, this one is for you."
And she alluded to the state's history of siding with the eventual presidential election winner: "You know what they say. As Ohio goes, so goes the nation." Clinton's claim to victory in Ohio had yet to be affirmed in the vote count.
Clinton, who once had a commanding lead in opinion polls in Ohio and Texas, slowed Obama with pointed attacks on his lack of experience in national security and his stance on trade. Both candidates voiced objections to the North American Free Trade Agreement, opposed in Ohio, but Clinton accused Obama of quietly assuring the Canadian government that he was not serious about pulling out of it.
