Clinton bows out of Presidential race

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • June 8, 2008 - 3:08

Mrs Clinton finally bowed out in Washington

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Hillary Clinton has bowed out of the race to win the race to win the Democratic party nomination for the Presidency.

Mrs Clinton was given a massive standing ovation as she conceded to Barack Obama at the National Building Museum in Washington, the location for two victory speeches by her husband Bill Clinton.

"This isn't exactly the party I planned but I sure like the company," she said.

"Today as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary campaign he has won.

"I endorse him and throw my full support behind him and I ask of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me."

The past year has been an amazing journey for Hillary Clinton, from uncrowned queen of the Democrats to a close second in the race for the party's Presidential nomination.

She was the clear favourite for months, but even with her name recognition, money and party influcence, she failed to clinch the most prestigious prize in American politics short of the White House itself.

On Tuesday Mrs Clinton seemed reluctant to concede that a 46-year-old in his first term as a US Senator had unseated her and decimated her plans to be the first woman President of the United States.

There was concern, consternation and panic when, instead of making a gracious concession speech, she launched into a lecture about how she was the more electable candidate.

Since then, there have been rumours she wants the Vice Presidential nomination and won't come out for Obama until she gets it.

There was even talk of the former First Lady continuing her already lost battle all the way to the convention in Denver later this summer.

However, it seems wiser heads have intervened.

It is expected that Senator Clinton will formally acknowledge that she has lost and endorse Barack Obama this Saturday.

Her communications director Howard Wolfson said today that she will host an event in Washington at which she is expected to thank her campaign for their hard work and back her main party rival.
The numbers were close.

It was only on Tuesday during the last primaries that Senator Obama reached the winning target of 2,118 delegates to the Denver convention.

Senator Clinton managed to attract 1,922. Close but, as it proved, not close enough.
As for that VP slot, the smart money is on former Presidential contender and Veep nominee in 2004, John Edwards.

A team of three eminent Democrats, among them the daughter for former President John F Kennedy, have been selected to help the presumptive Democratic nominee choose his running mate.

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