Independent:Now bring on McCain: Epic struggle ends with Obama set for victory

[cal04]

The most expensive primary campaign in US history ends with Barack Obama poised to claim the Democrat crown – and Hillary Clinton's camp in turmoil


By Rupert Cornwell in Washington and Leonard Doyle in St Paul, Minneapolis
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/now-bring-on-mccain-epic-struggle-ends-with-obama-set-for-victory-839587.html
After an epic five-month battle that has transformed US politics, Barack Obama last night stood poised to secure the 2008 Democratic nomination, with a very real chance of becoming the first African American president in the country's history.

The most dramatic, and at times vicious, Democratic primary campaign in US memory came to an end in South Dakota and Montana, leaving Barack Obama free to take the battle for the White House directly to John McCain.

As the Democratic nomination finally fell within his grasp, Mr Obama moved on to a new phase of single combat against his Republican rival, travelling to the twin cities of St Paul-Minneapolis for a rally at the very venue where the Republicans will crown Mr McCain their nominee in September. The manoeuvre gave him the opportunity to focus his bitterly divided party on the challenge of beating the Republicans in November.

With voting drawing to a close in the final two Democratic primaries, mixed signals were emerging from the camp of Hillary Clinton. Most intriguing was a report that the New York senator had told colleagues on a conference call yesterday that she was "open" to being Mr Obama's vice-presidential candidate if it would help the party's chances. In reviving speculation about the so-called dream ticket, the former first lady appeared to be coming to terms with the fact that her own personal dream of returning to the White House as president was over.

[DerekJ]

1. :)

[FrenchieCat]

2. Beautiful Cover!

[islandmkl]

3. how about the article about m.c.johnny at the top of the page?