Clinton backers offer support, if hesitantly, to Obama

By Ellen Wulfhorst

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Disappointed and saddened fans of Hillary Clinton said on Saturday they could now support Barack Obama, although switching allegiances will be painful and take some time.

Supporters of the New York senator, many in tears, applauded politely when Clinton ended her bid for the White House at a closing rally and urged them to back her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination.

But their reaction to mentions of Obama was peppered with long "boos," and the crowd saved its loudest and longest applause for Clinton, the first woman to go as far as she did in the quest for the presidency.

Obama, an Illinois senator, defeated the former first lady, once the strong front-runner, when he clinched the nomination this week. He will face Republican John McCain in the November general election.

About 2,000 people crowded into the atrium of the National Building Museum in Washington to listen as the former first lady, suspended her candidacy and endorsed Obama after a bitter months-long battle.

"I'm absolutely heartbroken. I'm absolutely devastated," said Dianne Cooperman, 61, carrying an armload of Clinton T-shirts. "I identified with her."

She said she would back Obama, but only out of necessity.

"I don't have a choice. There's no way I want McCain," she said. "I can't take four more years of the last eight."

Clinton volunteer Mary Ellen Courtney, 60, of New York, said she could support Obama, in due time.

"Give me two hours," she joked.

"It'll take a few days," she added on a serious note. "I've got to decompress. I feel a bit bummed, I feel a bit stunned."

Obama made history himself as the first black presidential nominee for one of the two major U.S. political parties.

Clinton, who kept her tone cheerful, offered encouragement. "It would break my heart if, in falling short of my goal, I in any way discouraged any of you from pursuing yours," she said in her speech.

"When you stumble, keep faith, and when you're knocked down, get right back up, and never let anyone say you can't or shouldn't go on," she said.

Carol Reich, 59, sobbed and said she could not support Obama. "I'll write her name in, or I don't know what I'll do," she said. "I'm very, very disappointed.