"Well, this isn't exactly the party I planned, but I sure like the company," Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton said at the start of her 28-minute concession speech Saturday, amid tears and cheers from her supporters. The marked end of her bid was held in the National Building Museum in Washington D.C., not far from the White House.
Former First Lady Clinton suspended her historical campaign and called for unity in the Democratic party, asking her supporters to use "our energy, our passion, our strength" to elect Barack Obama the next commander-in-chief.
"I endorse him and throw my full support behind him," she said, noting the cultural and political milestones both she and Obama represent. "Children today will grow up taking for granted that an African-American or a woman can, yes, become the president of the United States," she said.
Indeed, the vie for the Democratic nomination was a historical moment. For Clinton, it marked the closest a woman had come to securing a nomination. For Obama, it is the first time a transracial individual earned the nod. Clinton emphasized these points, particularly the new ground her candidacy paved for women.
"Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it has about 18 million cracks in it and the light is shining through like never before," she said in her speech.
However, she also set about trying to divide the rift that developed among democrats during the primary. "The way to continue our fight now to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama, the next president of the United States," she said.
"Today as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run. 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," she added amid boos and loud applause.
Obama released a statement from Chicago saying he watched Clinton's speech via computer and called her afterwards. He said he was "thrilled and honored" to receive his former opponent's support.
"I honor her today for the valiant and historic campaign she has run," he said in his statement. "She shattered barriers on behalf of my daughters and women everywhere, who now know that there are no limits to their dreams. And she inspired millions with her strength, courage and unyielding commitment to the cause of working Americans."
Following her speech, nearly 300 leaders in the Democratic party released statements saying they now back Obama, rather than Clinton.
In suspending her bid, Clinton may retain her delegates to the nomination convention this summer, continue to raise money and reopen her campaign if circumstances change prior to the Denver convention.
According to NBC political director Chuck Todd, Clinton staked her claim as the United States' top female political figure in her speech.
John King, chief national correspondent at CNN, said that if Clinton had campaigned and communicated throughout her entire bid like she did during her concession speech, the results may have been different.
"In endorsing Barack Obama and in saying how many times how together they want to do things, it sounded very much like she was auditioning [for the vice presidency], saying 'Take a look at this Sen. Obama. Look at my people, look at my message. I could help you if you put me on the Democratic ticket,'" he said. "Sounded very much like a farewell and an audition all wrapped up in one speech."
