CRI听力：Hillary Clinton Ends Her Campaign for the US Presidency

Hillary Rodham Clinton ended her historic campaign for the US presidency on Saturday and told supporters to unite behind rival Barack Obama, closing out a race that was as gruelling as it was groundbreaking.

"Today, as I suspend my campaign, 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. And I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me."(Www.hxen.net)

The former first lady, who as recently as Tuesday declared herself the strongest candidate, gave Obama an unqualified endorsement and pivoted from her role as determined foe to absolute ally.

"We may have started on separate journeys, but today our paths have merged and we're all heading toward the same destination, united and more ready than ever to win in November and to turn our country around, because so much is at stake."

For Clinton and her supporters, it was a poignant moment.

Carolyn Gutierrez, a Clinton supporter, said Obama would definitely get her vote if he chooses Clinton as his running mate for vice-president.

"I have very mixed emotions. I'm very happy that our country will nominate a black man for president. I only wish they were nominating Hillary Clinton for president, but I think she's a great woman and she has done a great job as New York senator and I am hoping that she will be the vice-presidential candidate. I would be much happier voting the Democratic ticket if she were the vice-presidential candidate."

About 18 million people voted for Hillary Clinton, and it was the closest a woman has come to capturing a nomination.