WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Clinton, who plans to end her presidential bid and throw her support behind Democrat Sen. Barack Obama, sent a letter overnight thanking supporters and congratulating her longtime rival.
Here’s what it said:
I wanted you to be one of the first to know: On Saturday, I will hold an event in Washington D.C. to thank everyone who has supported my campaign. Over the course of the last 16 months, I have been privileged and touched to witness the incredible dedication and sacrifice of so many people working for our campaign. Every minute you put into helping us win, every dollar you gave to keep up the fight meant more to me than I can ever possibly tell you.
On Saturday, I will extend my congratulations to Senator Obama and my support for his candidacy. This has been a long and hard-fought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Senator Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Senator McCain and the Republicans.
I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party’s nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise.
When I decided to run for president, I knew exactly why I was getting into this race: to work hard every day for the millions of Americans who need a voice in the White House.
I made you — and everyone who supported me — a promise: to stand up for our shared values and to never back down. I’m going to keep that promise today, tomorrow and for the rest of my life.
I will be speaking on Saturday about how together we can rally the party behind Senator Obama. The stakes are too high and the task before us too important to do otherwise.
I know as I continue my lifelong work for a stronger America and a better world, I will turn to you for the support, the strength, and the commitment that you have shown me in the past 16 months. And I will always keep faith with the issues and causes that are important to you.
In the past few days, you have shown that support once again with hundreds of thousands of messages to the campaign, and again, I am touched by your thoughtfulness and kindness.
I can never possibly express my gratitude, so let me say simply, thank you.
Sincerely,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
Photo credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque (Clinton appears in Washington)
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5 comments so far
Oh, enough already.. In this campaign, Hillary has learned from Obama some things about how to talk like you mean what you say, but not all of it has sunk in. Still we see the endless petty maneuvering, and the sound of being in it more for the personal power than for the principle. The country will surely have a great female president in time, but it will be the right woman, the one who speaks with a clear and original, unaffected voice about the most pressing issues of the time—not just the one who wants it so badly they will say and try almost anything to get it for themselves. It is time for leadership and not the posturing thereof. Congratulations, Mr. Obama.
- Posted by PSThank you Hillary, very nice letter. We appreciate your support.
- Posted by lyra husseinCongratulatins Senator Obama….Now upward and onward to the White House! Please dont choose Hillary for VP, you can do much better and frankly…we have had enough of the Clinton’s nonsense.
- Posted by KatThank you Hillary, you really have helped Barack and the Party. Your 50-state (+ 4 territory) campaign has created time for the D Party to expose the lies, reveal Barack’s flaws, and define his candidacy before the opposition got there. You have helped energize the party right to the roots; this is a much better situation for Barack than if he had won New Hampshire and you had folded. Now we must adjust quickly.
- Posted by Tom GWe are only half way to the beginning and we need to pony up once a month from now til November JUST TO REACH THE STARTING LINE JANUARY 20. One step, one voice, one dollar at a time. Yes We Can.
It’s oh so late in the day but at least she has shown a modicum of basic decorum and grace. We must be grateful for that - and if that sounds patronizing, tough!
Let’s hope Hillary realises that she and her husband cannot expect any real powerbase in the Whitehouse - although I have an idea:
I suggest Obama gives her the National Security Advisor role: this would be a big enough set of tasks to keep her busy AND satisfy her expectations for a significant job.
It’s a compromise that may sound askance for some but for me fits the bill on several levels.
Hillary is still someone to take seriously, and I think, under the guidance of Obama, could possibly do a good job.
It’s something Bill can assist her with from the sidelines of the desk chair next to hers.
But seriously, they could be good for foreign affairs, and this may force them to focus and deliver results.
I am sure Kissinger agrees that the job IS highly reponsible and taxing.
Obama, you know this makes sense!
- Posted by The Truth Is...