Barack Obama has taken a giant stride toward becoming the first black US president, defeating Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination on a promise of hope and change for Americans weary of the economic turmoil and years of war.
The Illinois senator has created history by becoming the first African-American to get a major party's nomination for the presidency.
Obama's victory sets up a November election contest with Republican John McCain that looks to be a clash of generations as well as a debate on Iraq.
Obama, 46, opposes the war; McCain, 71, is a former Vietnam prisoner of war and staunch supporter of the current US military mission in Iraq.
"America, this is our moment," Obama said at a boisterous rally in St Paul, Minnesota. "This is our time. Our turn to turn the page on the policies of the past."
Clinton praised Obama in an appearance before supporters in her home state of New York. But she neither acknowledged Obama's victory nor offered any concession.
Instead, the former first lady said she would spend the next few days determining "how to move forward with the best interests of our country and our party guiding my way".
Obama lavished praise on Clinton, too. He may need her help in the general election.
The 17-month battle for the nomination exposed divisions in the party - especially along racial and gender lines. Clinton has consistently won the support of older, working-class and woman voters - many of who have been skeptical of Obama.
That has prompted talk of what some Democrats have called a "Dream Ticket", with Clinton as the vice-presidential candidate.
In a conference call with the congressional delegation from New York, she expressed interest. "I am open to it" if it would help the party's prospects in November, Clinton reportedly said.
Her comment came after congresswoman Nydia Velazquez said Obama would have great difficulty winning the support of Hispanics and other voting blocs unless Clinton was on the ticket.
Obama's aides were noncommittal. "We're not in the presidential phase here. We're going to close out the nominating fight and then we'll consider that," said David Axelrod, Obama's top strategist.
In securing the delegates needed to lock up the nomination on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning Beijing time), Obama completed one of the most remarkable US political campaigns.
A first-term senator, unknown nationally four years ago, Obama toppled one of the US' most powerful political families. Clinton, seeking to become the first female president, had long been seen as the inevitable nominee.
Obama's nomination is also a milestone for a nation where racial discrimination was widespread even a few decades ago and many African-Americans had to fight just for the right to vote.
Obama sealed his nomination, according to the Associated Press tally, based on primary elections, state Democratic caucuses and support from party "super delegates", the party leaders and elected officials who can support the candidates of their choice.
It would have taken 2,118 delegates to clinch the nomination at the convention in Denver this summer, and Obama had 2,154 by the AP count. Clinton had 1,919.
Only 31 delegates were at stake on Tuesday in the campaign's two final primaries. Clinton won in South Dakota and Obama in Montana.
（英語點津 Helen 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Bernice Chan is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Bernice has written for newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and most recently worked as a broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, producing current affairs shows and documentaries
