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August 27, 2008

Clinton Endorses Obama, Calls for Party Unity
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1DE5896:A6F02AD83191E160CC122FE33294B3B370AD7039DCD7B7E4&
 
Former presidential candidate says no one can afford to sit on the
sidelines for November elections 
Senator Hillary Clinton has urged millions of voters who supported her
in the primaries to back presidential candidate Barack Obama. In a
speech at the Democratic National Convention, Clinton called for party
unity and said her one-time rival must be elected president. VOA
Correspondent Meredith Buel has details from the convention site in
Denver, Colorado. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton addresses Democratic
National Convention in Denver, 26 Aug 2008Clinton received an
enthusiastic standing ovation at the convention, where not long ago it
was widely expected that she would be anointed as the Democratic Party's
choice for president. But in a marathon and sometimes hostile primary
campaign she lost to Barack Obama. Clinton told her supporters they must
now back Obama because the party does not have a moment to lose or a
vote to spare.

 "Whether you voted for me, or you voted for Barack, the time is now to
unite as a single party with a single purpose," she said. "We are on the
same team and none of us can afford to sit on the sidelines."Clinton's
ability to deliver her supporters, many of whom are still angry over the
fierce battle for the nomination, could spell the difference between
victory and defeat for Obama. Polls show that a significant percentage
of Clinton supporters say they intend to vote for Republican candidate
John Mc Cain in the November general election. A straightforward
endorsement of Obama by Clinton was considered critical to his campaign,
and she delivered that Tuesday night, saying "Barack Obama is my
candidate and he must be our president."Clinton criticized Mc Cain,
saying his election would lead to more war and less diplomacy. 

"We know that President Obama will end the war in Iraq responsibly,
bring our troops home and begin to repair our alliances around the
world," she said. Former Virginia Governor Mark Warner gave the keynote
address to the convention Tuesday night, saying Mc Cain will follow the
same economic and foreign policies as the Bush administration. "This
race is all about the future," he said. "That is why we must elect
Barack Obama as our next president. Because the race for the future will
be won when old partisanship gives way to new ideas. When we put
solutions over stalemate and when hope replaces fear." Wednesday's
speeches at the convention will focus on national security and foreign
policy. They will showcase Obama's pick for vice president, Delaware
Senator Joe Biden. Obama is scheduled to address the convention on
Thursday, when he accepts the Democratic Party's nomination. 


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