Clinton suspends campaign, backs Obama

(Mark Wilson / Getty Images)

Hillary Clinton formally ended her fight with Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination today, suspending her campaign and throwing her full support behind the party's presumptive nominee.

The New York senator made the announcement to thousands of supporters at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., today. Clinton, who seemed in high spirits during the speech, began by thanking supporters and touting the accomplishments of her campaign.

"18 million of you from all walks of life, women and men, young and old, Latino and Asian, African-American and Caucasian, rich, poor and middle class, gay and straight, you have stood with me," Clinton said, continuing, "And I will continue to stand strong with you, every time, every place, and every way that I can."

But Clinton quickly transitioned into an emphatic endorsement of Obama, telling the crowd, "The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength, and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States."

Clinton also heralded the historic Democratic race, pointing out that both she and Obama had broken down barriers as the most successful female and African-American candidates to run for the country's highest office.

"When we first started, people everywhere asked the same question: Can a woman really serve as commander in chief? Well, I think we answered that one" Clinton said to a rousing applause, adding, "And, could an African-American really be our president? And Senator Obama has answered that one."

Obama did not come to the rally, but his campaign issued the following statement after Clinton's speech:

"Obviously, I am thrilled and honored to have Senator Clinton's support. But more than that, I honor her today for the valiant and historic campaign she has run.  She shattered barriers on behalf of  my daughters and women everywhere, who now know that there are no limits to their dreams. And she inspired millions with her strength, courage and unyielding commitment to the cause of working Americans.  Our party and our country are stronger because of the work she has done throughout her life, and I'm a better candidate for having had the privilege of competing with her in this campaign. No one knows better than Senator Clinton how desperately America and the American people need change, and I know she will continue to be in the forefront of that battle this fall and for years to come."

Clinton battled Obama for the nomination through every Democratic primary, at times only trailing the Illinois senator by fewer than 200 delegates. However, after Obama opened up a delegate lead in February, Clinton never quite achieved the rousing victory or superdelegates she needed to overtake him. Obama surpassed the 2,118 delegates needed to seal the nomination last Tuesday with a flood of superdelegate support and votes from the final two primaries of South Dakota and Montana.

For more on Clinton's exit from the race, read the Associated Press report or watch the clips below.

Speech excerpt, part 1:

Speech excerpt, part 2: