|
Hillary Clinton has told supporters she is suspending her campaign to become the Democratic nominee for US president and fully backs Barack Obama.
The following are key quotes from the speech delivered at the National Building Museum in Washington DC.
SUPPORT FOR OBAMA
"Today as I suspend my campaign, I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary campaign he has won. I endorse him and throw my full support behind him and I ask of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me...
"I've had a front-row seat to his candidacy and I have seen his strength and
determination, his grace and his grit...
"In this campaign, he has inspired so many to become involved in the democratic process and invested in our common future."
PARTY UNITY
"We all know this has been a tough fight, but the Democratic party is a family, and now it is time to restore the ties that bind us together and to come together around the ideals we share.
"Today, our paths have merged. We are all heading toward the same destination, united and more ready than ever to win in November and to turn our country around, because so much is at stake."
WOMEN IN POLITICS
"I am a woman and, like millions of women, I know there are still barriers and biases out there, often unconscious, and I want to build an America that respects every one of us.
"We must make sure that women and men alike understand the struggles of their grandmothers and mothers...
"Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it has about 18 million cracks in it and the light is shining through like never before."
CONQUERING PREJUDICE
"There are no acceptable limits and there are no acceptable prejudices in the 21st Century in our country...
"Children today will grow up taking for granted that an African-American or a woman can, yes, become the president of the United States."
FAIR HEALTHCARE
"We all want a healthcare system that is universal, high-quality and affordable...
"This isn't just an issue for me. It is a passion and a cause, and it is a fight I will continue until every single American is insured, no exceptions and no excuses."
NO REGRETS
"Life is too short, time is too precious and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been. We have to work together for what still can be."
HER FUTURE
"Well, this isn't exactly the party I'd planned, but I sure like the company...
"Today I'm going to count my blessings and keep on going. I'm going to keep doing what I was doing long before the cameras ever showed up and what I'll be doing long after they're gone: working
to give every American the same opportunities I had and working to ensure that every child has the chance to grow up and achieve his or her God-given potential.
"I will do it with a heart filled with gratitude, with a deep and dividing love for our country, and with nothing but optimism and confidence for the days ahead."
|
One-Minute World News
~RS~a~RS~International~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~55~RS~){kind=small}
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~55~RS~)
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
BBC News
Bookmark with:
What are these?