April 22, 2008
Posted: 11:00 PM ET

From
CNN

Watch a clip of Sen. Obama's concession speech.

(CNN) – Sen. Barack Obama said rival Sen. Hillary Clinton “ran a terrific race” as he conceded defeat in Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary Tuesday night.

The Illinois senator also thanked the Pennsylvanians who supported him in his bid to win a state whose demographics favored Clinton. “Now, six weeks later, we closed the gap,” Obama said to an audience in Evansville, Indiana that had initially booed when he congratulated Clinton.

“We registered a record number of voters and it is those new voters who lead our party to victory in November,” Obama added.

Filed under: Barack Obama • Pennsylvania


Trang, Fremont, CA   April 23rd, 2008 3:55 am ET

I am proud of you, senator Obama. Win or lose, you always demonstrate great leadership.

Jim, Indiana   April 23rd, 2008 3:54 am ET

Leave the race now Obama. You can't win enough electoral votes in November since you can't win any of the big States necessary to give the White House back to the Democrats.

Superdelegates have to make their decision now to support the most legitimate candidate and certainly the strongest opponent for McCain in these major States. Hillary has proven enough now and the voters are not turning to Obama even with all of his millions spent on publicity.

On to victory in November Hillary!!!

Newman   April 23rd, 2008 3:52 am ET

Raphael, I am so sorry you are blinded by the Hillary lies. Obama leads in popular vote, total delegates won, and most states. HIllary was expected to win PA by more than 25%, yet only managed a measly 8.6%. PA is not winner take all, and Hillary did not win much at all. Token victory for Hillary at best. I guess you haven't seen the growing number of super delegates that have been falling off the shelves for Obama in recent weeks. Obama will win the nominee, and you will finally see who is the true leader, Barack Obama.

Vig   April 23rd, 2008 3:41 am ET

Obama reminds me of the Wizard of Oz - all bluster, bells and whistles - then yoy pull back the curtain.

rachel   April 23rd, 2008 3:35 am ET

umm if I am not mistaken Hillary was positive with barrack today too!

T Baker   April 23rd, 2008 3:26 am ET

Obama you got a lot of learning to do and you just got whipped in Pennsylvania

I'd say you 'got a lot of learning to do' - like how to count, for one. A loss by less than 9% in a state you are SUPPOSED to lose doesn't seem like such a 'big' loss.

Way to do Obama - nice to see you congratulate your opponent, unlike she did in the string of defeats she got in those 'non counting little states' … cause they are little, you know, they don't count…. :P

America Post Obama   April 23rd, 2008 3:23 am ET

What can be said….he lost…she won! The better one won!

richard   April 23rd, 2008 3:21 am ET

At least he did not congradulate Hillary in a closed door campaign rally in San francisco to a bunch o rich people. Integrity?

richard   April 23rd, 2008 3:18 am ET

Did you hear his crowd boo when he congratulated Hillary? Typical Obama campaign people. When Hillary congradulated Obama people cheered for him also. What a difference between the camps.

Cindy   April 23rd, 2008 3:12 am ET

At least he has the money, Raphael…

Look, he has to spend more, everybody knows the Clinton name, a year ago, nobody's heard of Obama. He's done exceptionally well for someone nobody's heard of, a mere year ago.

A few weeks ago, he was 20 something percentage points behind. A few days ago they were virtually even. Then came the negative ads. The fear mongering. This finished just like Ohio.

Anyway, a win is a win. Congrats, Hillary. You won… not fair and square, but still, you did win.

Dylan   April 23rd, 2008 3:11 am ET

You're a good man, Barack. Way to stick to your ideals and refuse to stoop to the Clintons' lever. At least we have one candidate in this race with real integrity.

Michelle   April 23rd, 2008 3:01 am ET

I have great respect for you, Sir.

The O   April 23rd, 2008 2:55 am ET

Oh crap this means 2 more weeks of the SILLY-HILLY show with special guest apperances by BILLY. But I say good for her. she can have the geretol giuld. you know what they say don't trust anyone over 30. I mean the voters

GO- BAMA WHERE STILL WITH YOU

Indiana for Hillary   April 23rd, 2008 2:50 am ET

Buh bye, Barry. Please go home. Hillary has a country to lead!

Mike   April 23rd, 2008 2:46 am ET

…"registered a record number of voters…" and spent a record number of $$$$$$, didn't work in your favor though did it?

Go Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Harry   April 23rd, 2008 2:34 am ET

After taking on perhaps the most bigoted primary campaigns in recent times, Obama should be proud of the result achieved and satisfied with the pledged delegates gained in PA.

He will carry most of the upcoming states and may even surprisingly carry unfancied states by slim margins in light of the negativity that has embraced the Clinton campaign.

As for CNN's commentary : "The Best Unprofessional Political Team on TV". Credibility: ZERO

Jay   April 23rd, 2008 2:18 am ET

A man of courtesy, integrity, and honesty.

President Barack Obama.

tiff   April 23rd, 2008 2:18 am ET

What, no comments from the "typical" supporters of Hillary Clinton. I guess this gesture of congratulations is too genuine and decent for you!

OBAMA 8 and 12

Dick in Sioux Falls   April 23rd, 2008 2:16 am ET

Once again we see the fundamental decency in this man, not to be compared with the sleezy deportment of Bill and Hillary throughout these recent campaigns.

This is the same woman who shocked White House insiders with her foul mouth while Bill was president. Obama needs to talk more about removing the cap from social security taxes to fix Social Security and Medicare. This will resonate with the older Senior citizens who have been mesmerized by Clinton even while she refuses to talk about sufficient taxes to pay for her endless program promises.

Raphael Houston Tx   April 23rd, 2008 2:15 am ET

Obama you got a lot of learning to do and you just got whipped in Pennsylvania. You out spent Hillary 3 to 1 and campaigned for 6 weeks and left Pennsylvania as the big loser.

OBAMA you can not win the BIG STATES. Give it up.

LT for Obama   April 23rd, 2008 2:14 am ET

Gracious as always.

F Hitlery   April 23rd, 2008 2:11 am ET

This is the beginning of the end for Obama. Hillary will become the nominee and the next president. It is inevitable by the will of GOD himself. She is GOD's chosen one and will fulfill her destiny.

Daniel L   April 23rd, 2008 2:11 am ET

As an Obama supporter, I too congratulate Hilary on her win. I hope that this leads to a turning point in this increasingly bloody process. I hope that both candidates drop the negative and senseless squabbling and return to civil, intellectual discourse.

Let's all drop the hostility and focus on what matters: defeating McCain. I am an Independent, I support Obama, but if it comes down to it I am more than willing to line up behind Clinton over any republican any day.

The first place to begin is here, let us force the candidates back on the right track. Let's see more intelligence and more substance. This should be a battle of wits and of who has the best ability not over who can sling the most mud the fastest.

Mark   April 23rd, 2008 2:07 am ET

you see thats the mark of a true leader… Barack has always congratulated Hillary but Hillary never once gave congrats to Barack when he won , one of his many states…

francis   April 23rd, 2008 2:05 am ET

Way to go Sen. Obama, what a gentleman.
That's really what this country deserves.
Men and women who work to bring this country together instead of tearing each other down ,fellow dems and citizens while other countries are working hand in hand to get over us.

We need to lead this world not only by our power but also and most importantly by our !!! VALUES !!!

Wake up for what's better for you, the people decide that's he essence of democracy …as you make your bed … as you sleep …

don't foget the ultimate … !!! PROUD OF AMERICA !!!

Peter Damoah-Afari   April 23rd, 2008 2:01 am ET

Yes…….you are a gentleman. You don't act like your opponent.

SC for Hillary   April 23rd, 2008 1:59 am ET

It took $12 million dollars to close the gap, How much will it take for you to win? Hillary 08

angelina   April 23rd, 2008 1:57 am ET

Sen.Obama run a very good,decent and dignified campaign..

Barb in TN   April 23rd, 2008 1:49 am ET

And his campaign is already talking about how it wasn't really a win for her. They are also talking about going even more negative on her in Indiana. What happened to "change" and no more politics as usual? Just words? I think so!

Rohit Singh   April 23rd, 2008 1:48 am ET

Stop the Drama, Vote Obama

Barbara-California   April 23rd, 2008 1:17 am ET

Anyone else notice that all the photo's tonight of Obama show him as very very dark skinned? He is not very, very dark skinned….wonder why he looks that way on CNN site?

JB   April 23rd, 2008 1:17 am ET

Wonder if Clinton would have been as gracious if the tables had been turned???? It's amazing that Pennsylvanians found her more negative and less trustworthy yet they voted for her anyway. Go figure . . .

Grif   April 23rd, 2008 1:13 am ET

Respect you're Leader Mr… Maybe she will find a job for you…

Venus   April 23rd, 2008 1:09 am ET

Way to go Obama!

Hillary stated with a 33% lead and you cut it down to 10% or less!
Not bad for an underdog!

She's broke - so don't give her any of our money!

Chris in Va.   April 23rd, 2008 1:06 am ET

Hillary should take lessons in humility from this "elitist".

chisom   April 23rd, 2008 1:02 am ET

Did the voters in Penn, forget about the Bosnia sniper fire lie, or the health insurance-lead-death lie, What exactly motivated them to vote for Hillary, I am just curious, i can't picture it!

Joe   April 23rd, 2008 1:01 am ET

Obama supporters booing Hillary Clinton when congraulated by Obama …. sounds exactly like what one would expect them to do.

Where is the negativity? Look very, very close …. Obama supporters and you will find it closer than you think.

Sandy   April 23rd, 2008 12:59 am ET

Awesome! Obama! I'm going to donate$100.00 to your campaign again!!

Jane   April 23rd, 2008 12:58 am ET

CNN is anti-Obama.

From now on it's MSNBC. I'd rather hear Tim Russert and Chris Matthews make fun of Hillary any day. At least THEY know the truth about her and aren't afraid to talk about it.

Ken Austin, TX   April 23rd, 2008 12:56 am ET

Clinton ran a terrific race, Obama? Now that is the first lie I've ever heard you tell. LOL!

Obama '08

Clinton or McCain, but NEVER obama   April 23rd, 2008 12:49 am ET

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER obama.

Debster DC (I Bet CNN WON'T POST THIS)   April 23rd, 2008 12:39 am ET

CNN please just say, you endorse Obama.

Mark   April 23rd, 2008 12:37 am ET

"Ran a terrific race?" You've got to be kidding.

Gun totin', Church goin', but still lyin' Hillary. How dumb is PA?

Jane   April 23rd, 2008 12:35 am ET

National Polls Barack Obama 51% Hillary Clinton 41%

BARACK OBAMA FOR THE VICTORY AND NOMINATION!

BARACK OBAMA '08!

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