Hillary Clinton ends campaign and backs Barack Obama

Jun 8 2008 By Bruce Walker

HILLARY CLINTON ended her historic campaign for the US presidency yesterday and told supporters to unite behind Democrat rival Barack Obama.

The former First Lady, who as recently as Tuesday said she was the strongest candidate, gave Obama an unqualified endorsement.

She told a crowd of supporters packed into the National Museum Building in Washington DC that Illinois senator Obama had her "full support".

She said: "The way to continue our fight 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.

"As I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run."

Obama - the first black man to secure a major party presidential nomination in the US - said he was "thrilled to have Clinton's support".

He added: "I honour her for the valiant and historic campaign she has run.

"She shattered barriers on behalf of my daughters and women everywhere, who now know there are no limits to their dreams.

"She inspired millions with her strength, courage and unyielding commitment to the cause of working Americans."

For Clinton, it was the end of an extraordinary run in which about 18 million people voted for her. It is the closest a woman has come to capturing a presidential nomination.

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

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

She said: "Children today will grow up taking for granted an African-American or a woman can become the President of the United States."

Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and their daughter, Chelsea, joined her on stage to loud cheers from the crowd.

By suspending her campaign, Clinton has kept options open. She can retain her delegates to the nominating convention this summer and can still raise funds.

It also means she could reopen her campaign if circumstances change before the Denver convention in late August but gave no indication that was her intention.

Obama is set to take on Republican John McCain when America goes to the polls in November.

Clinton has told colleagues she would be interested in joining him as his vice-presidential running mate but last night there was still no confirmation of who would be his No.2.

Obama secured the 2118 delegates needed to clinch the nomination on Tuesday.

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