WASHINGTON - Barack Obama clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, becoming the first black candidate to lead a major party into a campaign for the White House. Vanquished rival Hillary Rodham Clinton swiftly signaled an interest in joining the ticket as his running mate.
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Obama arranged a victory celebration in St. Paul, Minn., at the site of this summer's Republican National Convention — an in-your-face gesture to Sen. John McCain, who will be his opponent in the race to become the nation's 44th president.
The 46-year-old Obama outlasted Clinton in a historic campaign that sparked record turnouts in primary after primary, yet exposed deep racial and gender divisions within the party.
In a campaign of surprises, Clinton's comments about joining the ticket rated high.
According to one participant in an afternoon conference call among Clinton and members of the New York congressional delegation, Rep. Nydia Velazquez said she believed the best way for Obama to win over Hispanics and members of other key voting blocs would be to take the former first lady as his running mate.
"I am open to it," Clinton replied, if it would help the party's prospects in November, said the participant, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the call was a private matter.
Obama sealed his victory based on primary elections, state Democratic caucuses and delegates' public declarations as well as support from 22 delegates and "superdelegates" who privately confirmed their intentions to The Associated Press. It takes 2,118 delegates to clinch the nomination.
Clinton stood ready to concede that her rival had amassed the delegates needed to triumph, according to officials in her campaign. They stressed that the New York senator did not intend to suspend or end her candidacy in a speech Tuesday night in New York. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they had not been authorized to divulge her plans.
Obama's triumph was fashioned on prodigious fundraising, meticulous organizing and his theme of change aimed at an electorate opposed to the Iraq war and worried about the economy — all harnessed to his own innate gifts as a campaigner.
With her husband's two-White House terms as a backdrop, Clinton campaigned for months as the candidate of experience, a former first lady and second-term senator ready, she said, to take over on Day One.
But after a year on the campaign trail, Obama won the kickoff Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3, and the freshman senator became something of an overnight political phenomenon.
"We came together as Democrats, as Republicans and independents, to stand up and say we are one nation, we are one people and our time for change has come," he said that night in Des Moines.
A video produced by Will I. Am and built around Obama's "Yes, we can" rallying cry quickly went viral. It drew its one millionth hit within a few days of being posted.
As the strongest female presidential candidate in history, Clinton drew large, enthusiastic audiences. Yet Obama's were bigger still. One audience, in Dallas, famously cheered when he blew his nose on stage; a crowd of 75,000 turned out in Portland, Ore., the weekend before the state's May 20 primary.
The former first lady countered Obama's Iowa victory with an upset five days later in New Hampshire that set the stage for a campaign marathon as competitive as any in the last generation.
"Over the last week I listened to you, and in the process I found my own voice," she told supporters who had saved her candidacy from an early demise.
In defeat, Obama's aides concluded they had committed a cardinal sin of New Hampshire politics, forsaking small, intimate events in favor of speeches to large audiences inviting them to ratify Iowa's choice.
It was not a mistake they made again — which helped explain Obama's later outings to bowling alleys, backyard basketball hoops and American Legion halls in the heartland.
Clinton conceded nothing, memorably knocking back a shot of Crown Royal whiskey at a bar in Indiana, recalling that her grandfather had taught her to use a shotgun, and driving in a pickup to a gas station in South Bend, Ind., to emphasize her support for a summertime suspension of the federal gasoline tax.
As other rivals quickly fell away in winter, the strongest black candidate in history and the strongest female White House contender traded victories on Super Tuesday, the Feb. 5 series of primaries and caucuses across 21 states and American Samoa that once seemed likely to settle the nomination.
But Clinton had a problem that Obama exploited, and he scored a coup she could not answer.
Pressed for cash, the former first lady ran noncompetitive campaigns in several Super Tuesday caucus states, allowing her rival to run up his delegate totals.
At the same time, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., endorsed the young senator in terms that summoned memories of his slain brothers while seeking to turn the page on the Clinton era.
In a reference that likened former President Clinton to Harry Truman: "There was another time, when another young candidate was running for president and challenging America to cross a new frontier. He faced criticism from the preceding Democratic president, who was widely respected in the party."
Merely by surviving Super Tuesday, Obama exceeded expectations.
But he did more than survive, emerging with a lead in delegates that he never relinquished, and proceeded to run off a string of 11 straight victories.
Clinton saved her candidacy once more with primary victories in Ohio and Texas on March 4, beginning a stretch in which she won primaries in six of the final nine states on the calendar, as well as in Puerto Rico.
It was a strong run, providing glimpses of what might have been for the one-time front-runner.
But by then Obama was well on his way to victory, Clinton and her allies stressed the popular vote instead of delegates. Yet he seemed to emerge from each loss with residual strength.
Obama's bigger-than-expected victory in North Carolina on May 6 offset his narrow defeat in Indiana the same day. Four days later, he overtook Clinton's lead among superdelegates, the party leaders she had hoped would award her the nomination on the basis of a strong showing in swing states.
Obama lost West Virginia by a whopping 67 percent to 26 percent on May 13. Yet he won an endorsement the following day from former presidential rival and one-time North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.
Clinton administered another drubbing in Kentucky a week later. This time, Obama countered with a victory in Oregon, and turned up that night in Iowa to say he had won a majority of all the delegates available in 56 primaries and caucuses on the calendar.
There were moments of anger, notably in a finger-wagging debate in South Carolina on Jan. 21.
Obama told the former first lady he was helping unemployed workers on the streets of Chicago when "you were a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart."
Moments later, Clinton said that she was fighting against misguided Republican policies "when you were practicing law and representing your contributor ... in his slum landlord business in inner city Chicago."
And Bill Clinton was a constant presence and an occasional irritant for Obama. The former president angered several black politicians when he seemed to diminish Obama's South Carolina triumph by noting that Jesse Jackson had also won the state.
Obama's frustration showed at the Jan. 21 debate, when he accused the former president in absentia of uttering a series of distortions.
"I'm here. He's not," the former first lady snapped.
"Well, I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes," Obama countered.
There were relatively few policy differences. Clinton accused Obama of backing a health care plan that would leave millions out, and the two clashed repeatedly over trade.
Yet race, religion, region and gender became political fault lines as the two campaigned from coast to coast.
Along the way, Obama showed an ability to weather the inevitable controversies, most notably one caused by the incendiary rhetoric of his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
At first, Obama said he could not break with his longtime spiritual adviser. Then, when Wright spoke out anew, Obama reversed course and denounced him strongly.
Clinton struggled with self-inflicted wounds. Most prominently, she claimed to have come under sniper fire as first lady more than a decade earlier while paying a visit to Bosnia.
Instead, videotapes showed her receiving a gift of flowers from a young girl who greeted her plane.
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Associated Press Writers Nedra Pickler, Beth Fouhy and Devlin Barrett in Washington, Stephen Majors in Columbus, Ohio, Jim Davenport in Columbia, S.C., and Libby Quaid in Memphis, Tenn. contributed to this story
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Ben in Stillwater... get over yourself. You are certainly not as great as you think. You can like camo beer cans and still be an awesome person. Okie's are often the nicest and easiest people to get along with you will find.
Shirley. There is an incredibly simple way to stop discrimination lawsuits from occuring, it's something ANYONE can do with no effort at all............(drumroll)..........STOP DISCRIMINATING!!!
Steelers, Brockway..... You don't have any idea what you are talking about. The WTC was attacked in '93, not '98. Your statistics on Muslims in America are completely fabricated... Muslims in America are overwhelmingly moderate, otherwise they would have had no reason to leave their theocratic nations. Also, no Muslim in America would admit their approval of suicide bombing for fear of imprisonment!! I normally take these comments in stride, but your fearmongering rant is so full of hate, lies, and inaccuracies that it's ridiculous. Are you part of the Bush administration?
Obama is great!!! He will be our next President!! I love how Republicans are now blaming the war and high costs of oil on Democrats!! What a riot!! Who has been in charge for the last 8 years? hmmm... The Dems can't get anything done now that they control the House because they know Bush will go veto crazy. It's fun to watch the Republicans squirming so desperately.
Obama is such a mean person. He hates people and has no faith. I just wish George Bush would run again. He was so smart. He is going to save us from all the terrorists in Iran by invading Iraq. I heard he gots Bin Laden locked away at his ranch in Texas. He is such a good Christian. By no means, does he judge people. He likes the Bible, which makes him a good man. Obama is muslim and will strap bombs on him to kill my children in the trailer park.
My name is Joe Bob Brown and I like Bob Stoops.
And I'm also an ignorant Oklahoman who has successfully characterized our state as incompetent, idiotic white trash cahoots who like Busch beer in camo cans.
Bunch of idiots you are.
Ben, Stillwater, OK 74074 - Jun 4, 2008 at 10:21 am
If some of you are so concerned about al qaida then why in the dickins arn't we going after them instead of sending up a smoke screen in Iraq. I haven't seen one thing about Osama and our forgotten hunt for him in a long long time. This war has zero do do with Al Qaida. Bush 41 told his son not to do this because there is no way out. He also told his son not to choose Chaney as VP and not to trust Rumsfeld. We are supposed to be christians in this country and a christian is supposed to be respectful of other peoples beliefs. How do you like someone pushing the Muslim faith at you? Just about the same as the Muslims like Christian beliefs pushed on them. I have a suggestion to those who really want to know how we got into this Iraq war, just read "The Fall of the House of Bush" Or the Book that was released last week. Or maybe you can remember a man called Colin Powell. We were lied to and are still being lied to.
Thoughtful, Oklahoma City - Jun 4, 2008 at 8:47 am
Who careas about this? Let's talk TBone football. We just stold a recruit from the mighty Sooners. It's a great day to be a supporter of TBone U. Pistols firing!!!! Yeeeee haaaaawwwww!!!!
Judie, since when has appeasement worked? That is the philosophy of Obama. Appease the terrorists. Sit down with them and talk it. When someone is bent on killing you, sitting down to talk with them doesn't work. If we put a spineless president into the white house, we will see al queda grow in strength overseas. Which leads to greater capacity to attack the US again. Remember, they attacked US on 9/11. They came to our soil. Currently in the U.S. 1 in 4 muslims say it is okay to strap on a bomb and kill innocent people in the name of allah. Unless we deal with terrorists by wiping out their ability to attack us, we will be attacked again. In case you think this is something brought on by Bush, the WTC was attacked in 1998 while Clinton was in office. Terrorists attacked a navy ship in Yemen during Clinton's time.
Mike if we go into N. Korea, you and I won't be alive for more than a few minutes. In case you don't know, they are building a nuclear weapons program. On top of that, you attack N. Korea, China gets into it. Don't think you really want that. That is why Iran should not be allowed to have nukes. Once they have them, you can't get rid of them. Some of these rogue nations will use nukes without hesitation. That is why Obama's theory of sitting down at the table to talk while these nations are still working on nukes is laughable.
Tammy, sorry I don't vote for racist candidates. BTW I live in PA and am among those people that Obama wanted to blast for our beliefs in God, something he claims he has but obviously doesn't. Not a requirement in my book in order to be a president. However, it is clear Obama is for the elite and those of us in rural America doesn't count to him. As for Iraq, I agree we shouldn't have gone in. But we are in there and need to finish the job. BTW, when did my home state become full of liberals who think only the way the liberal media tells them to think? As for the democrat party, all they want to do is take my money and give it to the poor who refuse to work. Under them the oil prices have more than doubled. I will be the one celebrating when the worthless democrats are no longer in majority in senate and congress. Until then, better hold on. Things will only get worse. One more thing: talk with any real republican and most will agree, Bush is not a republican he is a democrat. He believes in larger, more expensive government. Smells like a democrat to me.
BTW,I have some friends who are in the Army and,Navy and they have gone on more than 2 tours in Iraq and they say,we should have never attacked Iraq.They do what the president tells them or they do not get paid....
If you vote for McCain then, you vote for our troops to be Iraq for "one hundred years" John McCain's words not mine....Do you want to see our men and women die for no reason at all? Then you should vote for the worthless GOP.If you want the US to be respected and give our country back its Integrity to the rest of the world? Well,then you should vote Obama...Its your choice America.
Steelers: We have been in Iraq longer than we were in all of World War II!!! So,you still think this war is going well? Im going to open a bottle of champaign when that idiot Bush is out of office.
Steelers:BLAH,BLAH,BLAH...Why didnt the US do anything to Saddam when he committed genocide against Kurds in 1988? Why havent we attacked the Janjaweed in Darfur? Why havent we attacked North Korea? I have no problem going after the Taliban or,Al qaeda in Afghanistan but,we never should have gone into Iraq.
Oh, and BTW, I don't approve or disapprove of this war. I don't pretend, like others, to be an expert. However, as long as our volunteer force believes in what they are fighting for, that is enough for me.
Steelers, you have not read Obama's books if you think he is "hiding his Muslim ties." Even if his father, whom he never knew as a child, was a Muslim, which he was in name only and not a practicing advocate, this by itself would not lead one to believe that he would turn our country over to the terrorists. Your logic eludes me.
Tammy, Edmond and Nathan, Edmond and all of you who want to argue about going to war. We are in there. Get over it. If we pull our troops out now, all who have died will have done so in vain. If Al Qaida takes over Iraq we will have to go back at a later time in order to preserve our nation. Al Qaida wants to kill you and me. They hate us simply because we are not muslims. Thus a reason to NOT elect someone who is hiding his muslim ties as well as someone who thinks we should sit down with al qaida supporters and negogiate. What is there for us to negogiate in Iran? They are seeking nuclear weapons. Why? To attack Israel. They have been breathing murderous threats against Israel and the US for some time now. But Obama wants to negogiate with them? So what, does he promise them we will all become muslim? Al Qaida has "secret" cells in the U.S. American muslims are opening on websites supporting these terrorists. Now do you still want to tell me we should leave Iraq to these people? Do you still want to tell me we should subject the people in Iraq to such behavior? Do you still want to tell me we should allow these terrorists to spread across the world, heading up governments? BTW, I have friends who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. And they will tell you, it was necessary. And this is a war. Wars don't end in two or three years. It takes time to have a secure and free Iraq. If after thinking about all of this you still think we should 1) pull out of Iraq and 2) elect Barak HUSSEIN Obama you need to have your head examined.
What are people re-writing history now, LBJ didn't end the war, it was Nixon who pulled out. It was LBJ that officially made the Vietnam War into war and escalated it beyond control. Sound familiar, just like Bush did with Iraq.
Like I said, I feel for all who go to war, but I still support our armed forces for doing what they feel is right, whether or not you or I agree. Guess we've beat this dead horse enough. Let's just agree to disagree.
I repeat, just because they volunteered is not a reason to mistreat them. besides the reason the veitnam war was ended is because LBJ decided to initiate the lottery system and made everyone of a certain age avaiable, even congressmen's sons the war was ended pronto. My brother had a nuber nine lottery rated and never had to go. The volunteers have Mommas too. They should not be considered sacrificial lambs.
I'm 67 and I would gladly take the place of one young man with a young family if they would let me. They may be sent back to Iraq but it is still voluntarily and not without compensation. As far as I am concerned all wars are ill-conceived, but I'm sure they will continue whether I like it or not. I am not one of those who think that it is unpatriotic to be against the war. Quite the contrary, I think to speak out is one of the most patriotic things we can do. It's a right many in this world do not enjoy. I think these "poor kids" as you call them would be very offended by your terminology.
David, you're blaming again and missing my point. Even if you hate on Bush all day long, and we get a sparkling new savior president, it will not end the war. It takes the of congress to vote the other way. One man does not make or unmake a war.
No one has to agree with me. Just let me have my say. I am not unpatriotic. Just because these poor kids(yes most of them come from poor families) volunteered we shouldn't put them at risk in an ill-conceived war. Then when their term of enlistment they are instead sent back to Iraq. Just not fair. I don't see any one in this blog offering to take their place.
David, I also have a good friend who is a Muslim. I met her through our homeschooling network. I have great respect for all human beings who respect others rights as well as their own. The vast majority of Muslims fall into this category.
David, I don't support the reason we went to war, but as far as I know we still have a volunteer force. No one made anyone go into battle. Our troops believe in what they are doing. Just because you don't support it doesn't mean that everyone has to agree with you. I support anyone who makes a sacrifice based on personal values and principles.
Clinton says if it helps Dems, she's open to VP role 06/03/2008 WASHINGTON - Hillary Rodham Clinton will concede Tuesday night that Barack Obama has the delegates to secure the Democratic nomination, campaign officials...
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My name is Joe Bob Brown and I like Bob Stoops.
And I'm also an ignorant Oklahoman who has successfully characterized our state as incompetent, idiotic white trash cahoots who like Busch beer in camo cans.
Bunch of idiots you are.
Mike if we go into N. Korea, you and I won't be alive for more than a few minutes. In case you don't know, they are building a nuclear weapons program. On top of that, you attack N. Korea, China gets into it. Don't think you really want that. That is why Iran should not be allowed to have nukes. Once they have them, you can't get rid of them. Some of these rogue nations will use nukes without hesitation. That is why Obama's theory of sitting down at the table to talk while these nations are still working on nukes is laughable.
If you vote for McCain then, you vote for our troops to be Iraq for "one hundred years" John McCain's words not mine....Do you want to see our men and women die for no reason at all? Then you should vote for the worthless GOP.If you want the US to be respected and give our country back its Integrity to the rest of the world? Well,then you should vote Obama...Its your choice America.