Obama seals democratic nomination

(June 04, Washington, Sri Lanka Guardian) In a 'defining moment ' in the US history, Barack Obama on Wednesday sealed the Democratic presidential nomination.

He is the first black American in the race for White House after a roller-coaster battle against Hillary Clinton who did not concede defeat but kept her options open on being his running mate.
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"Tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States," the 46-year-old Obama told a boisterous crowd of supporters in St Paul, Minnesota after crossing the magic figure of 2,118 delegates needed to clinch the nomination.

After the two end-game primaries in South Dakota and Montana saw the Democrat rivals sharing honours, Obama's tally reached 2,149.5, compared to 1925.5 for the former first lady, according to independent website realclearpolitics.com.

"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, marking the end of the marathon race spreading over 17 months that pitted two historic candidates - a woman and an African-American man - against each other.

Terming it a "defining moment for our nation," Obama sought to reach out to Clinton in a bid to unite the Democratic party after a bitter and prolonged slanging match that brought out deep racial and gender divide in the open.

"Senator Hillary Clinton has made history in this campaign not just because she's a woman who has done what no woman has done before, but because she's a leader who inspires millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to the causes that brought us here tonight."

Clinton did not concede defeat and said she would meet with supporters and party leaders in the coming days to determine her next steps.

Clinton open to vice presidential spot

Hillary Rodham Clinton has told congressional colleagues she would be open to becoming Barack Obama's vice presidential nominee, saying she would consider it if it would help Democrats win the White House.

Clinton, a New York senator, made the comment on a conference call with other New York lawmakers today, according a participant on the call.

The senator's remarks come in response to a question from Democratic Rep. Nydia Velazquez who said she believed the best way for Obama to win over key voting blocs, including Hispanics, would be for him to choose Clinton as his running mate.

The participant says Clinton replied, "I am open to it," if it would help the party's prospects in November.
- Sri Lanka Guardian