FACTBOX: Candidates on final night of presidential primaries

(Reuters) - Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois claimed the Democratic presidential nomination on Tuesday, defeating Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York. Presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona immediately took aim at Obama, calling him a formidable foe but saying he was unwilling to make the tough decisions needed to change Washington.

Here are excerpts from their remarks to supporters.

BARACK OBAMA, IN ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

"Tonight we mark the end of one historic journey with the beginning of another -- a journey that will bring a new and better day to America. Tonight, I can stand before you and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for president of the United States."

"Senator Hillary Clinton has made history in this campaign not just because she's a woman who has done what no woman has done before, but because she's a leader who inspires millions of Americans with her strength, her courage, and her commitment to the causes that brought us here tonight."

"There are many words to describe John McCain's attempt to pass off his embrace of George Bush's policies as bipartisan and new. But change is not one of them."

HILLARY CLINTON, IN NEW YORK

"Senator Obama has inspired so many Americans to care about politics and empowered so many more to get involved. And our party and our democracy is stronger and more vibrant as a result."

"In the coming days, I'll be consulting with supporters and party leaders to determine how to move forward with the best interest of our party and our country guiding my way."

"People in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the territories, all had a chance to make your voices heard. And on election day after election day, you came out in record numbers to cast your ballots. Nearly 18 million of you cast your votes for our campaign, carrying the popular vote with more votes than any primary candidate in history."

REPUBLICAN JOHN MCCAIN, IN KENNER, LOUISIANA

"Pundits and party elders have declared that Senator Obama will be my opponent. He will be a formidable one. But I'm ready for the challenge, and determined to run this race in a way that does credit to our campaign and to the proud, decent and patriotic people I ask to lead."

"He (OBAMA) is an impressive man, who makes a great first impression. But he hasn't been willing to make the tough calls; to challenge his party; to risk criticism from his supporters to bring real change to Washington. I have."

"No matter who wins this election, the direction of this country is going to change dramatically. But, the choice is between the right change and the wrong change; between going forward and going backward."

(Compiled by JoAnne Allen in Washington)