Tamara, Chicago: "Obama's fate is now in the hands of those of us who voted for Clinton in the primaries."

No. It isn't. There are about 300 million people in the US, barely 5% of whom voted for Clinton. Obama's fate lies with the other 95%.

Yet another Clinton exaggeration, then.

Rob, Newcastle, UK

Why don't these people who is worried about a mans colour find some thing else to do, I don't want to hear about Obamas colour it is not important. When a Muslim man came and offered money to re build New Orleans when their laim duck white president could not do anything for his own people. Shut it.

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK

To all Racial & Regigious bigots, we are on the page of an election not a RACE RIOT. Join in healthy debate about the issues. We are informed today 9th 6th 2008 by the G8, that we are facing a WORLD WIDE RECESSION, and WHITE people are not exempt, so I don't care what colour you are, so shut up.

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK

Mentioning clothes in a news story is not unusual, but the better reporters explain the significance of the clothing they mention. I'll keep looking for analysis of the significance of Hillary, Bill and Chelsea being dressed in black when Hillary suspended her campaign/announced support for Obama.

Pamela E. Foster, Nashville, USA

"almost unthinkable a year ago, that Obama, 46, could become America’s first black president."

It still is unthinkable. It defies all genetic possibility since he is not black.

Why do journalists continue with this fallacy? He's as much white as he is black. He'll be a mixed race president.

Tom Franklin, London, United Kingdom

the thing is not she was wearing a pearl necklace . it is if she wasn' t wearing it .it would be reported ,too,just like"Hillary was too exhausted to wear a necklace.”so at last there is something about gender, which she can not get over.she can not be gentle ,which is the reason she lost.

annie, beijing, china

66 % of black people. 55% of whites consider him bi-racial. So just who do you consider racist?
Kristina, Copenhagen, Denmark

Since the FACT is he's not black but bi-racial, it's obvious who is being racist here, and desperately trying to "claim" Obama to be part of something he's not!!!

James, London, United Kingdom

given the loss of a long held dream, her speech was courageous but not graceous. for the loser, she has attached too many conditions with her grudging support to make it look as if she is still calling the shots. Hillary, this is no graceous concession speech.

Dele, London, Uk

Carla Hilman-- why did the reporter mention Hillary's attire?
Because she too is a woman and many women like to dress up for occasions however sombre.My wife wore an expensive blouse with sequins the day the judge was pronouncing judgement on financial affairs in our divorce. I wore a grey suit!!

LAKSHMAN PARDHANANI, GOA, India

Presi8dent McCain , or Obama ?
If Iran gives its nuclear bombs to the islamic terrorists. London & Washington will go up in mushroom clouds.
Who does the West want at the helm then -Boy Wonder ? or a battle-hardened veteran ?

wilfred knight, orange county california, usa

Obama won this race for two reasons : his freshness and rhetoric (" There is no black America or White America, just the United States of America. As in other aspects of American life, he had more,better manged, funds. Simple as that.

Abdul Jaleel, Darlington, United Kingdom

Confucius say " keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

Obama, make Hillary the VP and then send her into exile along with Billy boy, else they will tear you into shreds. You are no match for their guile and cunning.

Or feed her to Nancy Pelosi and Michelle Obama. the two will rip her

Ted Baines, New York, USA

So, as well as securing the endorsment of the delegates and super delegates, it is vital for candidates to secure the approval of those super-super delegates i.e. Israel.
Whatever happens from now, we know we are in for four more years of upheaval in the Middle East.
America votes?

Ahmed, Birmingham , UK

Simon, Sen. Obama considers himself black as do 66 % of black people. 55% of whites consider him bi-racial. So just who do you consider racist? I also wonder why you take such offense to him being called black, it seems that you are the one who thinks being black is a bad thing.

Kristina, Copenhagen, Denmark

A great victory to Obama has made the former first lady lose the fight for the nomination, so she've got to admit it and turn herself around to back Obama up. Even though the failure to her, I bet that she is the strongest and charmest women on this planet.

cristiano, Wuhan, China

There are a deal of strident feminist comments on here. And that is a big part of what cost Hillary this campaign. Such comments give an impression that her women supporters don't want equality (a 100% admirable goal) but want to impose a biased feminist agenda (a 100% unjust goal).

Nancy, Houston, US

In line with his "change" strategy Obama should not follow conventions for the rest of his campaign.

Instead, he should bring together a small team of the best and brightest Democrats one of whom will be the candidate VP; others will cover key 'crisis' areas like the economy, Iraq, jobs.

Leigh Vernier, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The choice of running mate should be Sen. Obama's. We all have our preferences, but he should be left to pick the person who will most complement him - not just in the race for the White House but in governing the country. Hillary may not be content to be VP. Will Bill submit to the vetting process?

Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK

'many women won't vote if she is not the VP'. Her supporters are as egocentric as she is. She lost. Simple as that. Neither she nor her supporters have the right to demand anything. Obama would be a fool to add her to the ticket. The Republicans thank you for not voting though. Mindless sheep

Kristina, Copenhagen, Denmark

Please stop calling Mr Obama Black! His mother was English and his father Black. Continuing calling him black only goes to show how racist your views are, as clearly shown among Hillary Clinton's supporters. Mr Obama is not Black just as he is not White. Could you find another racial devide for him?

Simon Namnyak, London, England

Hillary has redeemed herself in my eyes by giving an excellent endorsement/congratulatory speech. And I hope her supporters heed her - if they truly support her and what she believes in, they'll follow her example and turn their attention to supporting Obama. Fingers crossed!!

Gemma, Dover, UK

My overwhelming image is of an American woman saying she's had enough of 'hooseyn', putting stress on 'hooseyn'. The implication is that the name Husein is in someway negative/dangerous and somehow just wrong.

No one called Husein (assuming the Iraqi) has ever killed Americans. She be dumb!!

John, London,

People like Jas, Alders, need to do a bit more reading and gathering of accurate facts before they go around peddling their nonsense! Obama is NOT and HAS NEVER BEEN a Muslim! A middle name of Hussein does not a Muslim make! If anything, he is honest, for he has never hidden anything about himself!

Jimmy C, Letchworth Garden City, UK

I stopped reading this article when it described what Hillary was wearing.

This is meant to be an article on politics of America not fashion of America. I'm shocked that even after such a progressive campaign there are still media outlets that divide the issues based on gender.

For Shame

George White, Canberra, ACT, Australia

I worry about Obama, this is a major change of thinking money men are foisting onto America. According to those who know he attended a Muslim Madrassa followed by many years he sits in a Church that is not Mildly hostile to all things American & white but rabidly hating it. Israel and Britain worry

Jas, Alders, UK

I worry more about the sincerity of Obama who ditched his best friend and his church in pursuit of the presidency.

Andrew G O'Donnell, Sacramento,CA., USA

A speech from the head nursing a wounded heart and as gracious as possible given their troubled history in the primaries.
The coming days will determine the sincerity of Clinton's exhortations to her supporters. Obama's wisdom in identifying a role for the couple will be critical. But Not V.P.

LAKSHMAN PARDHANANI, GOA, India

She was our best candidate, and this was a big loss for us. Many women will not vote if she is not the VP.

Anne, LA, USA

Take Hillary at her word. She fought like a tiger for every vote. We worked a good long while for the nomination. Unfortunately Obama got off to a good strat and grabbed a lead Hillary could not overcome. What a great year for American politics. Non Obama can pick Hillary as his VP and off we go.

Roger, georgia, usa

She was wearing a pearl necklace. If Obama was wearing a pearl necklace, I'm confident this would be reported as well. Mens suits are fairly uniformed, the one exception being the color of tie, of which many articles point out...Not everything is sexist that deals with gender...

Jonah, Davis, US

Obama's fate is now in the hands of those of us who voted for Clinton in the primaries. He cannot win in Novemeber without us. Clinton's endorsement has no effect, we need tangible payback. I will accept nothing less than Clinton as VP.

Tamara, Chicago, USA

The whole process is alarming for the international scene. Chose between the naiive Obama and a 71-year-old warmonger. In both cases, Bush's bombastic endorsement of Zionism is the legacy.

Tony Gold, London,

I've been for Obama for a long time but realizing the effect Bill had on Hillary's campaign, my empathy is for her. I hope she finds herself and dumps him. My best wishes for her future!

ericmiami, Homestead, FL, US

Hilary's hesitance to admit defeat identifies a judgement flaw when under pressure. Give her a job where she's time to consider the situation, events and that will not suffer too greatly from her talent for prevarication. Case in point is her defeat acceptance speech. She needed time to think.

Tom, London, England

Raise the white flag,ex super power,he is a muslim,hope Mcain gets in,for the Wests sake

N.Riley, Runcorn, England

"Dressed in pearls and a black jacket".

Hmm. Is this the sexism in the media the Clintons keep talking about? We don't describe male politicians by what they wear. And, this from a female reporter. Makes one wonder, doesn't it?.

Paul, Durango, Colorado, USA

As a fervent Obama supporter who has contributed 4 times so far, I couldn't be happier with Hillary's speech. It deserves an A+. This more than makes up for Tuesday, and I look forward to lots more speeches like this.

Hopefully her supporters will realize what's truly important and unite.

sfam, NorthernVA, USA

Unfortunately, Peter UK, a few of these voters might do it out of spite and not democracy. That's too bad. As for people who cannot take this one day off from Hillary bashing, I say give it a rest. I'm no fan of her's right now, but that doesn't mean I wish her any ill. It's over & I wish her well.

Marie, California,, U.S.

Although defeat was inevitable for Hillary and Obama's lead clearly unassailable, yet by asking her supporters to throw in their lot with him, she is exhibiting the quality of nobility (discussed in this paper recently by M Parris) that used to define the US. No rancour, no animus shown.Truly noble.

SD Goh, PJ, Malaysia

To, Carla Hillman, Arusha , Tanzania

Just a guess but some people disable images and keep text only on their browsers to speed up page loading. The reporter was describing the stage/scene as best as she could for those readers who are unable to view Hillary's photo[s]? or, reporter just liked it.

jayil, london, uk

Sen Obama's funding was primarily through internet donation with over a million contributors,with less than $100.00 as an average.How does this make him an elitist?It shows only that he has a good organisation and people willing to support him.

cecil king, washington dc, usa

Hilary still playing games by saying she has suspended her campaign rather than ending it shows she hopes Obama will not win and so she will stand again in 2012.
If she was genuine in her support she would have ended her campaign period.

Gordon, Northen Ireland,

Blair all over again - heaven help us!

Elaine, Orlando, USA

We couldn't all be a Leader or a great Leader. I join citizens of the world to congratulate you, Barak. Fellow thinkers will agree with me that this is the man from 'Change'. He is truely the symbol of that change we can believe. Can't you feel the 'I have a dream' prophecy come true?

'Tobi Akiode S.A., London, UK

Why did the reporter felt duty-bound to describe what Ms. Clinton was wearing? Does that have any relevance to the story? Would the reporter have commented on Mr. Obama's clothing if he had been the one conceding the race? After all she has accomplished, why coment on what she is wearing?!

Carla Hillman, Arusha , Tanzania

For the confused gentleman who wondered what devious tricks she was up to by only "suspending" her campaign, she cannot "end" it and still be able to take contributions to pay off her campaign debt. It's as simple as that.

Charlotte Toerner, Sherburne, NEw York, USA

I have intensely mixed feelings about this. I did not want Clinton to run -- I believed she could be a far more effective senator than president -- but the fact that her campaign was taken so seriously mattered deeply to me. She has walked a Calvary on behalf of other women. Ave atque vale.

Lili, Chicago, USA

In every speech in the Primary she has exhibited a very strange mannerism; a peculiar series of head nods. She didn't do this once in this speech - I think that her endorsement may be genuine. The price Obama paid? I think that she will join the Supreme Court Justices.

Robert, Boca Grande, USA

It seems The Clintons - they've come to be universally referred to as a homogenous mass - have finally figured out that, if they continue to drag the party through the dirt, there'll be no chance of a Clinton running in 2012 or 2016. After Tuesday's speech, this is hypocritical opportunism.

Rob, Newcastle , UK

Hillary is in a classic 'Catch 22'; if Obama wins she will never be President if McCain wins she might.

john, milton keynes,

I am so happy that Mr. Obama will now have a full opportunity to show why he won the nomination, he is an extraordinary thinker who captured the minds and hearts of young people throughout America and re-invented political interest among the young. This is the real future.

John Burke, Santa Cruz, USA

The money for campaigns are a bit obscene, but I do take issue with the fact that American politics necessarily remains in the hands of elites. Obama is the son of a Kenyan sheep-herder and Bill Clinton was born to a poor family in Arkansas with an alcoholic father.

Eric, Nashville, USA

I wonder if the price of Hilary's support for Obama was his agreement that he would only be a one-term president and allow her a clear run in 2012.
In 2012 she will be 64, at the end of her term (in 2016) he will still only be 52; ready for another term.

Arundel, South Coast, UK

Hurrah for a new age for polictics!! All the African American and Women candidates have to do now to be serious runners is raise the best part of 300 million dollars...truly anyone can be a Presidential Candidate....utter tosh. Power stays in elitist hands regardless of colour or sex.

James Cullup, Oxford,

More backhanded compliments from Hillary. What does she mean by "suspend" her campaign? God forbid she's implying that, even now, she might re-instate her campaign if she sees chinks in Obama's run up to the Democratic convention.
Has this dreadful woman no shame? Apparently not.

John Bard, Los Angeles,

Now that Hillary has given up her bid for president, we will not have the opportunity to find out what Bill would have been called. First Gentleman? Mr. Bill? The First Husband? And of course, would tea still be served in The East Room? Oh, sweet mysteries of life.

Kim Righetti, Upland, Calif. USA

Probably more than ever this has been a candidate election. If some Clinton supporters wish to vote for McCain instead of Obama or not vote at all, it is their right in the name of democracy.

Peter Vuorela, London, UK

All candidate's either dems or repubs are (have always been) obeyers of AIPAC lobby. It doesn't matter who win's; the middle east will lose. It doesn't matter who win's; they'll agree to more wars. As long as Israel exists; we'll never have peace.

jayil, london, uk

Obama.....bring her on the ticket!

Sue, Delaware, USA

Genetic research shows that up to a quarter of white Americans have some black African ancestry. Southerners with the longest American lineage have the highest probability levels, as they have interacted more intimately for longer. Americans really are a band of 'brothers'.

Andrew , Kingston, Jamaica