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Obama 'winner' of Democratic race Obama 'winner' of Democratic race
(10 minutes later)
US Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has earned enough delegates to clinch his party's nomination, US media have projected. US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has earned enough delegates to clinch his party's nomination, US media have projected.
The projections are based on his performance on the final day of the primaries in South Dakota and Montana. The projections are based on his performance on the final day of primary voting, in South Dakota and Montana.
His rival Hillary Clinton, who is projected by US media to win the contest in South Dakota, has refused to concede the election. His rival Hillary Clinton, who is predicted by US media to win the contest in South Dakota, has refused to concede the election.
But she has told backers she is "open" to being Mr Obama's running mate. Mr Obama won the day's other primary, in Montana, according to projections.
In a speech to supporters in New York, Mrs Clinton congratulated Mr Obama and his supporters "for all that they have accomplished".In a speech to supporters in New York, Mrs Clinton congratulated Mr Obama and his supporters "for all that they have accomplished".
But she stressed that she was making "no decisions tonight" about her continued presence in the race.But she stressed that she was making "no decisions tonight" about her continued presence in the race.
Earlier, she told congressional backers that she was "open" to the idea of being Mr Obama's vice-presidential running-mate.
Winning postWinning post
Mr Obama was only a few delegates short of the 2,118 needed ahead of the polls closing in South Dakota and Montana.Mr Obama was only a few delegates short of the 2,118 needed ahead of the polls closing in South Dakota and Montana.
And although he failed to win in South Dakota, he had managed to pick up enough endorsements during the day from the remaining uncommitted "super-delegates" - party officials with a free choice over who to support - to pass the winning post as soon as polls closed in the state.And although he failed to win in South Dakota, he had managed to pick up enough endorsements during the day from the remaining uncommitted "super-delegates" - party officials with a free choice over who to support - to pass the winning post as soon as polls closed in the state.
Polls are scheduled to close at 2000 (0200 GMT) in Montana. His projected victory in Montana added even more delegates to his tally.
The race goes on Terry McAuliffeClinton campaign chair Fight to the endThe race goes on Terry McAuliffeClinton campaign chair Fight to the end
Before the voting was complete, Republican presumptive nominee John McCain delivered a speech to supporters in Louisiana, in which he declared that "the primary season is over, and the general election campaign has begun".Before the voting was complete, Republican presumptive nominee John McCain delivered a speech to supporters in Louisiana, in which he declared that "the primary season is over, and the general election campaign has begun".
In his speech, he attacked Mr Obama for being "the wrong change", and defended himself against the Obama campaign's criticism that he will continue President Bush's policies, saying he had "not seen eye to eye" with the president on many issues.In his speech, he attacked Mr Obama for being "the wrong change", and defended himself against the Obama campaign's criticism that he will continue President Bush's policies, saying he had "not seen eye to eye" with the president on many issues.
Earlier, AP reported that two senior campaign officials were saying the race was effectively over. The last day of the primary was characterised by confusion, as some news outlets reported that two senior Clinton campaign officials were saying the Democratic race was effectively over.
The officials suggested that in a speech in New York City Mrs Clinton would not formally end her campaign but would accept Mr Obama had enough delegates to win, the agency said. But Clinton campaign chief Terry McAuliffe said the reports were "100%" incorrect.
Not formally conceding would give Mrs Clinton more leverage on her future role in the Democratic Party's battle against Senator John McCain in the November election, analysts said.
But, speaking on CNN, Clinton campaign chief Terry McAuliffe said the reports were "100%" incorrect.
"The race goes on. We've got two important votes today and then tomorrow we've got to work the super-delegates and we believe we can persuade enough super-delegates to come over and support Senator Clinton.""The race goes on. We've got two important votes today and then tomorrow we've got to work the super-delegates and we believe we can persuade enough super-delegates to come over and support Senator Clinton."
Mr Obama is due to speak in St Paul, Minnesota, where the Republicans will hold their convention in September and formally nominate Mr McCain as their candidate.Mr Obama is due to speak in St Paul, Minnesota, where the Republicans will hold their convention in September and formally nominate Mr McCain as their candidate.
Mr Obama appears well aware he must heal divisions within the Democratic Party.Mr Obama appears well aware he must heal divisions within the Democratic Party.
"The sooner we can bring the party together, the better, so we can focus on John McCain and taking back the White House," he said on Monday."The sooner we can bring the party together, the better, so we can focus on John McCain and taking back the White House," he said on Monday.
Are you in South Dakota or Montana? Are you voting on Tuesday? How do you intend to vote? What outcome do you expect to see after the final round of primaries? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in South Dakota or Montana? Are you voting on Tuesday? How do you intend to vote? What outcome do you expect to see after the final round of primaries? Send us your comments using the form below.
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