Obama seals nomination

ritaclin

http://www.theage.com.au/world/o ... -20080604-2lhx.html


Barack Obama has sealed the Democratic presidential nomination in a historic step toward his once-improbable goal of becoming America's first black president.

A defeated Hillary Clinton is manoeuvring for the vice-presidential spot on his ticket.

Senator Obama had been on the verge of securing the 2118 delegates needed to win the nomination heading into today's final primaries.

But even before polls closed, it was clear he had sealed his victory as 22 elected delegates and "superdelegates'' - party officials who can vote as they please - privately confirmed their intentions to The Associated Press.

Senator Obama, 46, a first-time senator from Illinois, began the campaign as an underdog but surprised Senator Clinton by raising enormous funds via the internet.

His message of change, hope and a less divisive form of politics has won strong support among young voters and tertiary-educated Democratic voters.

By the end of his campaign, his rallies were attracting as many as 75,000 people.

On the eve of the last two primaries, the Clinton camp is suggesting that Senator Clinton would settle for the vice-presidential slot, as it looks likely that New York congressman Charlie Rangel, who is close to Senator Clinton, said publicly that Senator Clinton is open to being second on the ticket.

Senator Obama's campaign had no reaction to Senator Clinton's comments, which raised anew the prospect of what many Democrats have called a "Dream Ticket'' that would put a black man and a woman on the same ticket.  

Senator Obama's victory sets up a five-month campaign against Republican John McCain, a race between a 46-year-old opponent of the Iraq war and a 71-year-old former Vietnam prisoner of war and staunch supporter of the current US military mission.

They will vie to succeed President George Bush, whose popularity has plummeted as the economy weakens, petrol and food prices soar and the war continues in its sixth year.

Senator Obama, a first-term Illinois senator who was virtually unknown across America four years ago, defeated Senator Clinton, the former first lady and one-time campaign front-runner, in a 17-month marathon for the Democratic nomination.

His victory had been widely assumed for weeks. But Senator Clinton's declaration of interest in becoming his running mate was unexpected.

She expressed it in a conference call with the congressional delegation from her state after congresswoman Nydia Velazquez predicted Senator Obama would have great difficulty winning the support of Hispanics and other voting blocs unless Clinton was on the ticket.

"I am open to it'' if it would help the party's prospects in November, Clinton replied, according to a participant who spoke on condition of anonymity because the call was private.

The fast-paced developments unfolded as the long Democratic nominating struggle ended with primaries in Montana and South Dakota.

Only 31 delegates were at stake, the final few among the thousands that were once up for grabs among Obama, Clinton and six other Democratic candidates into the campaign.

Senator Obama arranged an evening appearance in St Paul, Minnesota, sending Senator McCain an unmistakable message by claiming his victory in the hall where Senator McCain will accept his party's nomination in September.

Senator Clinton was in New York for an appearance before home-state supporters. Officials said she would concede Senator Obama had the delegates to secure the Democratic nomination, effectively ending her bid to be the nation's first female president.

Senator McCain, who wrapped up the Republican nomination months ago, campaigned in Memphis.

Senator Obama's success amounted to a victory of hope over experience, earned across an enervating 56 primaries and caucuses that tested the political skills and human endurance of all involved.

Together, Senator Obama and Senator Clinton drew record turnouts in primary after primary - more than 34 million voters in all, independents and Republicans as well as Democrats.

Yet the race between a black man and a woman exposed deep racial and gender divisions within the party.

Senator Obama drew strength from blacks, and from the younger, more liberal and wealthier voters in many states. Senator Clinton was preferred by older, more working class voters, and women.

Senator Obama's weakness with Hispanic and white working class voters could be a serious vulnerability in the November election, especially in industrial states that are crucial to Democratic hopes.

But Senator Obama has demonstrated his political strength through his prodigious fund-raising, meticulous organising and his theme of change aimed at an electorate opposed to the Iraq war and worried about the economy - all harnessed to his own gifts as an inspirational speaker.

with AP