Obama Makes History

8220;Tonight, we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another 8212; a journey that will bring a new and better day to America,8221; Obama told supporters at a rally in St Paul. 8220;Because of you, tonight I can stand here and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States of America.8221;

In a speech to supporters in New York City, Clinton paid tribute to Obama, but she did not leave the race. In a speech more defiant than conciliatory, she again presented her case that she was the stronger candidate and argued that she had won the popular vote, a notion disputed by the Obama campaign.

Obama8217;s victory moved the presidential campaign to a new phase as he tangled with Senator John McCain of Arizona in televised addresses on Tuesday night over Obama8217;s assertion that McCain would carry on President Bush8217;s policies. McCain vigorously rebuffed that criticism in a speech in Kenner, La, in which he distanced himself from the departing president while contrasting his own breadth of experience with Obama8217;s record.

8220;The American people didn8217;t get to know me yesterday, as they are just getting to know Senator Obama,8221; McCain told supporters.

Obama8217;s triumph closed a 16-month primary campaign that broke records on several fronts: the number of voters who participated, the amount of money raised and spent and the sheer length of the fight. The campaign, infused by tensions over race and gender, provided unexpected twists to the end as Obama ultimately prevailed over Clinton, who just a year ago appeared headed toward becoming the first female presidential nominee of a major party.

The last two primaries reflected the party8217;s continuing divisions, as Clinton won the South Dakota contest and Obama won Montana.

The race drew to its final hours with a burst of announcements 8212; delegate by delegate 8212; of Democrats stepping forward to declare their support for Obama. The Democratic establishment, from former President Jimmy Carter to rank-and-file local officials who make up the party8217;s superdelegates, rallied behind Obama as the day wore on.

When the day began, Obama needed 41 delegates to effectively claim the nomination. By the time the polls closed in Montana and South Dakota, Obama had secured the delegates he needed to end his duel with Clinton, which wound through every state and territory in an unprecedented 57 contests over five months.

While the Democratic race may have ended, a new chapter began in the complicated tensions that have defined the relationship between Obama and Clinton. On a conference call with members of the New York Congressional delegation on Tuesday, Clinton was asked whether she would be open to joining a ticket with Obama. She replied that she would do whatever she could 8212; including a vice-presidential bid 8212; to help Democrats win the White House.

Obama called Clinton late on Tuesday evening to congratulate her, but aides said he left a message because he could not reach her. In his speech, his supporters cheered as he paid respect to his rival.

8220;Our party and our country are better off because of her,8221; Obama said, 8220;and I am a better candidate for having had the honor to compete with Hillary Rodham Clinton.8221;

But associates to Obama played down the vice-presidential speculation. And he made no reference to it in his 30-minute speech, which was delivered at the same arena in which McCain is expected to formally accept the Republican nomination at the party8217;s convention in early September.