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Obama 'winner' of Democratic race Obama declares nomination victory
(10 minutes later)
US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has earned enough delegates to clinch his party's nomination, US media have projected. Barack Obama has declared himself "the Democratic nominee for President of the United States".
The projections are based on his performance on the final day of primary voting, in South Dakota and Montana. The claim came on the last day of primary season, as projections showed he had earned enough delegates to clinch the nomination.
His rival Hillary Clinton, who is predicted by US media to win the contest in South Dakota, has refused to concede the election. Of the two states that voted, Montana was won by Mr Obama, while in South Dakota, Mr Obama's rival Hillary Clinton was victorious.
Mr Obama won the day's other primary, in Montana, according to projections. In a speech to supporters, Mrs Clinton refused to concede the election.
In a speech to supporters in New York, Mrs Clinton congratulated Mr Obama and his supporters "for all that they have accomplished". Speaking 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.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.
His projected victory in Montana added even more delegates to his tally.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.
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 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.
But Clinton campaign chief Terry McAuliffe said the reports were "100%" incorrect.But 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 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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