Parties Pleased With Clinton's Announcement

Hillary Clinton has suspended her presidential campaign. Clinton told her supporters to take their energy, passion and strength and do everything they can to make Barack Obama the next President of the United States of America.

The News On 6's Dan Bewley reports leaders of both the Democrat and Republican parties say they're pleased with Saturday's announcement.

Republicans say Barack Obama is the easiest candidate to beat. Democrats say it's time to reach out to Hillary Clinton's supporters.

"I will work my heart out to make sure Obama is our next President and I hope and pray that all of you will join me in that effort," said Hillary Clinton.

"I thought it was a fabulous speech," said Tulsa County Democratic Party Chairman Elaine Dodd.

Dodd says Senator Clinton's graceful bow out is just what's needed to put a democrat in the White House.

"Because as Hillary Clinton said today, we cannot afford another four more years of what we have endured these past seven," said Dodd.

The question now is will Senator Clinton's supporters be as vocal for Senator Obama. Many worry they could jump ship to Senator John McCain.

"We're not gonna vote for Barack Obama when she asks us to," said Clinton supporter, Betty Jean King.

Dodd doesn't expect that to be the norm. She says Clinton and Obama stand on similar platforms and believes supporters want a change and will not turn to the Republican ticket.

"Senator McCain models much like President Bush and I think many Republicans and Democrats believe we simply cannot have another term of a Republican president," said Dodd.

"The Democrats went through a long process and finally picked their candidate and we're very pleased because the candidate they selected will be the easier of the two because he's the most liberal," said Chris Medlock of the Tulsa County Republican Party.

Medlock says the choice of Senator Obama as a candidate is the best for his fellow Republicans.

"He's got a rock star following behind him and a lot of his supporters comes from younger voters who, traditionally, don't get out and vote when election day comes,' said Medlock.

And so begins a five-month sprint for the Presidency. Eighteen million people voted for Hillary Clinton during the primaries, but Dodd doesn't believe Senator Clinton will run as Senator Obama's vice-president.

Dodd says a name she keeps hearing is Senator Jim Webb of Virginia.