AFTER a gruelling 16-month battle, Hillary Clinton gave up her quest to become America’s first woman president yesterday and urged her supporters to back her rival, Barack Obama.

Clinton, 60, acknowledged in a speech charged with emotion that she had lost the struggle for the Democratic presidential nomination. Bill Clinton, their daughter Chelsea and hundreds of fervent followers gave her a series of rousing ovations.

Dressed in pearls and a black jacket, she told the crowd in the monumental flag-draped hall of the National Building Museum in Washington: “The way to continue is to take our energy, our passion, our strength and do all we can to help Barack Obama.

“I congratulate him on the victory he has won and the extraordinary race he has run. I endorse him and throw my full support behind him.”

Her concession ended a chapter of American history that has seen a President Bush or Clinton in the White House for nearly 20 years. It also heralded the possibility, which seemed almost unthinkable a year ago, that Obama, 46, could become America’s first black president after the election in November.

“In his own life, Barack Obama has lived the American dream, as a community organiser, in the state senate, as a United States senator,” she said. “He has dedicated himself to ensuring the dream is realised.”

Clinton’s endorsement was far more gracious than her refusal to accept Obama’s victory last Tuesday, when he clinched the nomination. Putting aside all criticism of her rival, she appeared to be auditioning for the role of vice-president.

“Today I join Barack Obama to say, ‘Yes we can!’ ” she declared.

“When we started, people asked, could a woman really serve as commander-in-chief? Well, I think we answered that one,” she said. “And could an African-American really be our president? Senator Obama has answered that one.”

She added: “I will work my heart out to make sure that Senator Obama will be our next president and I hope and pray that all of you will join me.”

Clinton had forged a coalition of traditional Democratic voters that was remarkable for its enthusiasm and loyalty. “Eighteen million of you from all walks of life . . . have stood with me and I will continue to stand with you,” she declared, to ecstatic applause.

Throughout the primary season that began in January, however, she was outshone by Obama’s dynamism and promise of change.

Clinton’s ability to deliver legions of women and white working-class voters to Obama ensures that she will remain a towering figure in the race against John McCain, 71, the Republican nominee. Her campaign was suspended rather than terminated, enabling her to continue to raise money to pay off debts of more than $30m and keeping her technically in the race. She plans to retain a core team of advisers. She may call on it again in 2012.

Obama Victory Speech

Hillary speech in New York 03/06/08

Hillary: Obama Will Be A Good Friend To Israel

McCain speech in LA 03/06/08

Obama and Clinton hold talks

Michele Obama in Puerto Rico

Times Recommends

• Violent video games won’t corrupt
• Pope Benedict XVI: Alma Mater
• Chávez should know what’s good for him