By MAGGIE HABERMAN
June 4, 2008
Barack Obama clinched the Democratic nomination for president last night, propelling him to history as the first black standard-bearer for either major party.
"Tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States," Obama said during a huge rally in St. Paul, Minn. - the city where John McCain will accept the GOP nomination this summer.
PHOTOS: Obama Claims Nomination
Appearing overwhelmed, Obama paused for a long period as the crowd of roughly 17,000 people at the Xcel Energy Center erupted in wild applause and sign-waving.
Another 15,000 people were outside, and chants of "Yes we can!" - Obama's catch phrase - were heard throughout his speech.
"Tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another - a journey that will bring a new and better day to America," he said.
Obama's victory will be made official with the vote of delegates at the Democratic convention in late August.
It sets up a race between a 46-year-old opponent of the Iraq war and John McCain, a 71-year-old former Vietnam POW and supporter of the current US military mission. In his remarks, Obama complimented Hillary Rodham Clinton and even mentioned her husband, Bill, who's been deeply critical of him.
Singling her out for praise for her stance on universal health care and poverty and calling her campaign "barrier-breaking," he said, "Our party and our country are better off because of her, and I am a better candidate for having had the honor to compete with Hillary Rodham Clinton."
He tried to call her twice following the speech - but got her voicemail. She finally returned the call as his plane was about to fly out of St. Paul to Washington.
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