Is Hillary out of presidential race?

{image-Hillary+Clinton0wins01_3207032008_03062008.jpg news.oneindia.in}London, June 3: Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton is preparing what her aides, many of whom are being laid off, privately describe as a "valedictory" speech in New York as the final votes are cast in Democratic primaries of South Dakota and Montana.

Hillary's campaign began early last year with her being considered the 'inevitable' nominee. Although Senator Clinton was still making her case aggressively to uncommitted super-delegates, members of her advance staff who set up campaign events were recalled home and told their jobs were ending. Clinton sources said that although she was unlikely to concede the Democratic nomination to Senator Barack Obama or to endorse him, she recognised her dreams of returning to the White House were over until at least 2012. A concession speech in New York later in the week is a possibility.

Meanwhile, Obama extended a hand to bring Hillary aboard his bid to beat Republican John McCain in November. He said he spoke to Clinton on Sunday night after she won the Puerto Rico primary. "I told her that once the dust settled, I was looking forward to meeting with her at a time and place of her choosing," The Telegraph quoted Obama, as saying.

Obama needs only about 45 more delegate votes to clinch the nomination. An even split from Tuesday's primaries and another 30 or so super delegates would put him over the top.

ANI