Hillary Clinton to extend full support to Barack Obama
The former first lady ended her historic quest to become the first female US president with a speech at the National Building Museum. Day in Pics
By Agencies |
WASHINGTON: Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday formally ended her historic bid for the White House and urged her supporters to rally behind ex-rival Barack Obama, in a show of support Democrats hope will help heal the party fractured by a bitter battle for the presidential nomination.
The former first lady ended her historic quest to become the first female US president with a speech at the National Building Museum. Her husband and former President Bill Clinton and other family members were present on the occasion.
Clinton had spent much of Friday working on her concession speech. Aides described the process as painstaking and emotional but said there was no question Clinton would enthusiastically endorse Obama. Unqualified support from Clinton could help Obama win over her ardent working class and older female supporters.
The former first lady was once seen as unbeatable for the Democratic presidential nomination, but her hopes of becoming the first woman US President faded as Obama chipped away at her early lead in an epic, gruelling 50-state nominating contest to become the first black presidential nominee from a major US party.
Clinton had earlier resolutely refused to back down, even as it appeared Obama had reached the necessary delegates to face off against Republican John McCain.
ADVERTISEMENT
���I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee and I intend to deliver on that promise,'' Clinton told supporters in an online message. She had stated that her speech would focus on ���how together we can rally the party'' behind Obama as he prepares for the general election against McCain. ���The stakes are too high and the task before us too important to do otherwise.''
Clinton was expected to campaign for Obama and to help with fundraising, while seeking his assistance in retiring her $30 million campaign debt.
One of Clinton's strongest supporters, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, delivered what he called ``my first Obama speech'' before a gathering of state Democratic Party leaders on Friday night, challenging fellow Clinton supporters to set aside their grudges and work to elect Obama president in November.
ADVERTISEMENT
``We have to go to work!'' Rendell told about 200 people at a Democratic State Committee dinner in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Obama and Clinton met privately on Thursday evening, though neither campaign has given details on their discussion. California Sen. Dianne Feinstein told reporters on Friday that Clinton called her in the afternoon and asked if she and Obama could meet at her home.
ADVERTISEMENT
They arrived and left separately, Feinstein said, and had no staff in the room with them as they talked. Feinstein showed them into her living room, then left them alone and went upstairs to do her own work. Clinton also held a party at her Washington home on Friday night to thank and bid farewell to her campaign staff.
Obama is still under pressure from Clinton's supporters to offer her the vice presidential slot on his ticket. However, he has said he will not be rushed into a decision.
Clinton, a New York senator, disavowed efforts by supporters pushing for Obama to choose her, but she has told lawmakers privately that she would be interested in the vice presidential nomination.
Courtesy: Times of India
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
