Obama approaches the finishing line 03/06/2008 - 07:14:26
One of the hardest-fought and most expensive primary seasons in memory was drawing towards an end today as Barack Obama looked poised to claim his place in history as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.
The gruelling race has shattered fundraising and voting records while stoking worries that the prolonged battle between Mr Obama and Hillary Clinton could undermine the party’s chances of securing the White House.
The former first lady pressed on with her campaign, but there were increasing signals that she was preparing to acknowledge defeat in her own groundbreaking bid to become the first female US president.
Mr Obama was 41.5 delegates shy of the 2,118 needed to gain the nomination at the party’s convention in Denver and face off against Republican John McCain.
He was expected to overcome that hurdle soon after today’s primaries in South Dakota and Montana by winning over more superdelegates, the party leaders and elected officials who may choose whomever they like at the August convention.
He gained 5.5 superdelegates during the day yesterday, including Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, a member of the House leadership who scheduled a formal announcement for today.
Mr Obama’s aides prodded uncommitted congressmen and women and other superdelegates to climb on board quickly – as Mrs Clinton struggled to hold back the tide and some of her supporters hinted that the end of her campaign was near.
Acknowledging that he must woo her passionate supporters, Mr Obama said he has asked Mrs Clinton for a meeting on her terms.
“I told her that once the dust settled I’m looking forward to meeting with her at a time and place of her choosing,” he said.
“The sooner we can bring the party together, the better, so we can focus on John McCain and taking back the White House,” he told reporters.
He also said he would begin thinking about a vice presidential running mate “the day after I have gotten that last delegate needed to officially claim the nomination”.
There were signs that despite her promise to fight on, Mrs Clinton was preparing to acknowledge defeat once Mr Obama gained the final delegates needed.
“This may be the last day I’m ever involved in a campaign of this kind,” former President Bill Clinton said in South Dakota.
The former first lady was campaigning into the night in the state, scratching for an upset primary triumph that could somehow persuade uncommitted superdelegates to back her, before heading home to New York for a post-primary appearance tonight – a rare departure from her campaign practice.
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One of the hardest-fought and most expensive primary seasons in memory was drawing towards an end today as Barack Obama looked poised to claim his place in history as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.
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