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Clinton vows to go all the way
05/03/2008 07:13 - (SA)
Columbus - Jubilant Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton on Tuesday vowed to go all the way to the White House after winning the Ohio primaries in a huge boost to her faltering campaign.
"The people of Ohio have said it loudly and clearly, we're going on. We're going strong. And we're going all the way!" the former first lady said to huge cheers from her supporters.
Senator Clinton won nominating contests in both Ohio and Rhode Island on Tuesday to break a damaging winning streak by her rival Barack Obama and give fresh momentum to her bid to be the country's first woman president.
"For everyone who stumbled and stood right back up and for everyone - everyone who works hard and never gives up, this one is for you. You know what they say. As Ohio goes, so goes the nation," she said.
The former first lady pressed her case that she was the best person to lead the country as it tackles wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and again sought to hammer Illinois Senator Obama for his lack of experience.
Texas too close to call
"We have two wars abroad, we have a recession looming here at home. Voters faced a critical question. Who is tested and ready to be commander in chief on day one? And who knows how to turn our economy around, because we sure do need it?" she said.
"When there's a crisis and that phone rings at 3:00 am, in the White House, there's no time for speeches or on the job training. You have to be ready to make a decision."
The New York senator also congratulated Senator John McCain on winning the Republican party's ticket when he won all four of Tuesday's primaries and said she "looked forward to a spirited and substantive debate with him".
But the results from Tuesday's other big prize, Texas, were still not known as US media networks said the race was too close to call.
Further complicating the Texas picture was that the state holds primaries during the day, followed by caucuses in the evening at which about a third of the state's delegates will be decided.
"America needs a president who is ready to lead, ready to stand up for what's right even when it's hard," Clinton, 60, told cheering supporters.
"After seven long years of George W. Bush - we sure are ready for a president who will be a fighter, a doer for the American people again!"
Obama, 46, has been winning voters over with his message of hope and change as he seeks to be the country's first African-American president.
Parroting Obama's anthem "Yes We Can," Clinton hit back with "Yes We Will."
"Ohio has written a new chapter in the history of this campaign, and we're just getting started. More and more people have joined this campaign, and millions of Americans have not spoken yet."
- AFP
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