TRANSITION | Forming the next government
04 June 2008
Presidential Campaign Enters New Phase as Primaries End
Obama declares victory; Clinton says she is undecided on future plans
Washington -- As the final Democratic primary voters cast ballots in South Dakota and Montana June 3, Illinois Senator Barack Obama told his supporters that, “because of you,” he is expected to become the first African-American presidential nominee of a major political party.
“Tonight, after 54 hard-fought contests, our primary season has finally come to an end. … Thousands of miles have been traveled. Millions of voices have been heard. And because of what you said, because you decided that change must come to Washington … tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another, a journey that will bring a new and better day to America,” Obama said.
Neither Democratic candidate has earned enough pledged delegates to guarantee the nomination, but U.S. news media outlets are calling Obama the presumed Democratic nominee because enough superdelegates -- party leaders who cast votes -- have indicated they will vote for Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August. If those superdelegates vote in line with their announced intentions, Obama will have more than the 2,118 votes needed to earn the nomination.
Obama congratulated New York Senator Hillary Clinton on her campaign, saying she will continue to play an influential role in shaping policy. “Our party and our country are better off because of her, and I am a better candidate for having had the honor to compete with Hillary Rodham Clinton,” he said.
Speaking at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, the same place where John McCain officially will be named the Republican nominee at his party’s convention in September, Obama highlighted how his views differ from those of his presumed general-election opponent. Obama focused on the war in Iraq, the economy and energy issues, saying that McCain would continue to promote failed policies.
Speaking in her home state of New York, Clinton congratulated Obama for his “extraordinary campaign,” but did not concede the race.
“Senator Obama has inspired so many Americans to care about politics and empowered so many more to get involved,” Clinton said, “and our party and our democracy is stronger and more vibrant as a result.”
Clinton said she is “committed to uniting our party so we move forward stronger and more ready than ever to take back the White House this November,” but added she would be “making no decisions tonight” about her plans.
“In the coming days, I'll be consulting with supporters and party leaders to determine how to move forward with the best interests of our party and our country guiding my way,” the first viable female U.S. presidential candidate said.
There was one good piece of news for Clinton: She won the South Dakota primary. Her victory there was a surprise to many because Obama had won prior nominating contests in neighboring states. Obama won Montana’s primary.
Also on June 3, the presumed Republican nominee praised Clinton in a speech in Kenner, Louisiana.
"Senator Clinton has earned great respect for her tenacity and courage," McCain said. “As the father of three daughters, I owe her a debt for inspiring millions of women to believe there is no opportunity in this great country beyond their reach. I am proud to call her my friend."
Knowing that many Americans -- particularly Democrats -- would be watching the Democratic candidates speak on television on the evening of their final contests, McCain used the opportunity to address voters across the country as well.
Saying that the “general election has begun,” McCain criticized Obama’s claim that the Arizona senator is “running for President Bush's third term.”
Citing differences between himself and Bush, McCain said, “[The American people] know I have a long record of bipartisan problem solving. They've seen me put our country before any president, before any party, before any special interest, before my own interest.”
Speaking an hour after McCain, Obama again made this claim about the presumed Republican nominee. But he also noted that Republicans “offer a very different set of policies and positions, and that is a debate I look forward to” having as the general election now begins in earnest.
