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Obama declares nomination victory Obama declares nomination victory
(30 minutes later)
Barack Obama has declared himself "the Democratic nominee for president of the United States".Barack Obama has declared himself "the Democratic nominee for president of the United States".
He was speaking to a cheering crowd on the last day of the primary season, as projections showed he had earned enough delegates to clinch the nomination.He was speaking to a cheering crowd on the last day of the primary season, as projections showed he had earned enough delegates to clinch the nomination.
Of the states that voted, Montana was won by Mr Obama and South Dakota by his rival Hillary Clinton, US media say.Of the states that voted, Montana was won by Mr Obama and South Dakota by his rival Hillary Clinton, US media say.
In her own speech to supporters, Mrs Clinton refused to concede and said she would make a final decision later.In her own speech to supporters, Mrs Clinton refused to concede and said she would make a final decision later.
Role for Clinton?Role for Clinton?
Mr Obama's speech was delivered in St Paul, Minnesota, where Republicans are set to hold their presidential nominating convention.Mr Obama's speech was delivered in St Paul, Minnesota, where Republicans are set to hold their presidential nominating convention.
When we finally win the battle for universal health care in this country, [Mrs Clinton] will be central to that victory Barack Obama Mr Obama's speech: full text
In the address, he paid tribute to Mrs Clinton and hinted that she would play a role in a hypothetical Obama administration.In the address, he paid tribute to Mrs Clinton and hinted that she would play a role in a hypothetical Obama administration.
Hillary Clinton: 'I will be making no decisions tonight'
"What gets Hillary Clinton up in the morning is an unyielding desire to improve the lives of ordinary Americans," he said."What gets Hillary Clinton up in the morning is an unyielding desire to improve the lives of ordinary Americans," he said.
"When we finally win the battle for universal health care in this country, she will be central to that victory.""When we finally win the battle for universal health care in this country, she will be central to that victory."
Mr Obama also praised Republican rival John McCain's "many accomplishments", although he accused the Arizona senator of choosing to deny his own accomplishments.Mr Obama also praised Republican rival John McCain's "many accomplishments", although he accused the Arizona senator of choosing to deny his own accomplishments.
Speaking 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 said she was making "no decisions tonight" about her continued presence in the race.But she said she was making "no decisions tonight" about her continued presence in the race.
Primaries over
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.
Hillary Clinton: 'I will be making no decisions tonight'
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.
In South Dakota, with nearly 90% of the state's precincts reporting, Mrs Clinton was winning with 55.5% of the vote, to Mr Obama's 44.5%.
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".
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.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.
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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