bama gained the 2,118 delegates and superdelegates required to clinch the US Democratic presidential nomination and become the presumptive candidate.

Barack Obama, a political unknown just four years ago, declares victory over Hillary Clinton in their Democratic primaries race which amounted to a victory of hope over experience, earned across 56 primaries and caucuses that tested the political skills and human endurance of all involved.

Millions of voters turned out for primaries and caucuses, shattering records in one state after another, and millions more tuned in each election night to watch the returns. Both Obama and Clinton drew record turnouts in primary after primary - more than 34 million voters in all, independents and Republicans as well as Democrats. As the strongest female presidential candidate in history, Clinton drew large, enthusiastic audiences.

While Clinton was preferred by older, more downscale voters, and women, Obama drew in bigger numbers. He drew strength from blacks, and from the younger, more liberal and wealthier voters in many states.

In a speech to her supporters in New York, Senator Clinton has refused to concede defeat. "I will be making no decisions tonight," she has said, receiving loud applause. She praised Senator Obama and said she would consult with party leaders on "where we go from here", but also called out to her supporters to let her know if they want her to stay in the race.

Meanwhile, Rumors swirled throughout the day in anticipation of Obama’s step across the nomination finish line that Clinton was “open” to joining Obama. But while Obama was clearly making steps to try to assuage the anger of the more than 17 million people who voted for Clinton, he pivoted quickly to the general election and his next opponent who also signified Tuesday night that the next battle has already begun.

In excerpts from a speech he said in remarks prepared for delivery at a rally in St. Paul, Minn., Senator Obama declared: "Tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States."

" Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past." "Senator Hillary Clinton has made history in this campaign not just because she's a woman who has done what no woman has done before, but because she's a leader who inspires millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to the causes that brought us here tonight," Mr. Obama said.