WASHINGTON (AP) - June 7, 2008 "I endorse him and throw my full support behind him," said the
former first lady, delivering the strong affirmation that her
one-time rival and other Democratic leaders hoped to hear after a
bruising campaign.
Amid tears from her supporters, Clinton issued a call for unity
that emphasized the cultural and political milestones that she and
Obama, the first black to secure a presidential nomination,
represent.
"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.
For Clinton and her backers, 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 in a speech before cheering supporters packed into the
ornate National Building Museum, not far from the White House she
longed to occupy again, as president this time.
Indeed, her speech repeatedly returned to the new threshold her
candidacy had set for women. In primary after primary, her support
among women was a solid bloc of her coalition. She noted that she
had received the support of women born before women could even
vote.
But her main goal was to heal the rift in the party - one that
cleaved Democrats in part by class, by gender and by race.
"The way to continue our fight now to accomplish the goals for
which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength and
do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next president of the
United States," she said.
"Today as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the
victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run. 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 in her 28-minute address. Loud boos competed
with applause.
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.
With 14 mentions of Obama's name, Clinton placed herself solidly
behind her Senate colleague from Illinois, who awaits Arizona Sen.
John McCain in the general election. "We may have started on
separate journeys but today, our paths have merged," Clinton said.
Obama, in a statement from Chicago where he was spending the
weekend, declared himself "thrilled and honored" to have
Clinton's 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."
Obama secured the 2,118 delegates needed to clinch the
nomination Tuesday. Aides said Obama watched Clinton's speech live
on the Internet. His campaign put a photo of the New York senator
on its Web site and urged supporters to send her a message of
thanks. Likewise, Clinton's Web site thanked her backers. "Support
Senator Obama today," her Web page said. "Sign up now and
together we can write the next chapter in America's story."
"As you may know, I was a boxer. And I've seen many fights go
the distance," said Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada.
"But never have I seen one where everyone came out stronger -
until now."
Obama could use the women and blue-collar voters who flocked to
Clinton's campaign. She could benefit from his prodigious
fundraising to help retire a debt of as much as $30 million.
Clinton advanced her campaign at least $11.4 million; by law, she
has only until the summer Democratic convention to recoup it.
Clinton has told colleagues she would be interested in joining
Obama as his running mate and the Rev. Jesse Jackson, an Obama
supporter, said Saturday that she had made "a powerful case for
her eligibility" to be on the ticket.
Joining Clinton on stage Saturday were her husband, the former
president, and their daughter, Chelsea. When she spoke, they
stepped away. Her mother, Dorothy Rodham, wiped away a tear as she
watched from nearby.
In deciding to "suspend" her campaign, Clinton kept some
options open. She retains her delegates to the nominating
convention and she can continue to raise money. It also means she
could reopen her campaign if circumstances change before the Denver
convention. But she gave no indication that was her intention.
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On the Net:
www.hillaryclinton.com
www.barackobama.com
http://www.gop.com/clintonvsobama/
Clinton suspends campaign, endorses Obama
By 6abc
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