NEW YORK (AFP) - Battle-scarred and weary after some of the most intensive campaigning in US presidential history, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama showed no sign of giving ground in their marathon tussle for the White House.

In a sort-of victory speech, the former first lady rallied for challenges to come after going toe to toe with her Democratic rival in more than 20 contests on Super Tuesday, the biggest one-day primary clash ever.

Her speech borrowed freely from a famous poem inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty ("Give me your tired, your poor"), as she promised to heal a troubled land following wins in big states like California and New York.

"So today, we say with one voice, give us the child who wants to learn, give us the people in need of work, give us the veterans who need our care," she said as her husband, former president Bill Clinton, looked on beaming.

"We say give us this economy to rebuild and this war to end. Give us this nation to heal, this world to lead, this moment to seize. I know we're ready. Thank you all and God bless you!"

Red, white and blue ticker tape then rained down on the hundreds of supporters gathered in the ballroom of the Manhattan Center Studios, a century-old music venue and occasional host of wrestling bouts.

Renowned schmoozer Bill Clinton and his wife then plunged into the crowd to meet well-wishers such as Linda Dixon, 64, who had headed the queue outside after arriving more than four hours early for the rally.

"I'm not voting for her because she's a woman," the retired science teacher told AFP. "I'd vote for anyone with her track record, man or woman. But the fact that she's a woman does tickle my heart," she said.

"Barack Obama is a gifted speaker and politician. My concern is he stepped up to the platform too early. We'll be happy to work for him eight years from now, or even in four years if Hillary doesn't work out," Dixon added.

Obama, seeking to become the first black US president, had cause for celebration also, after holding his own in the frenetic nationwide dash for delegates who will choose the Democratic White House nominee in August.

"There is one thing on this February night that we do not need the final results to know. Our time has come," he told thousands of cheering supporters at his results party in Chicago.

"Our time has come. Our movement is real. And change is coming to America," he said. "What began as a whisper has now swelled to a chorus that cannot be deterred."

The 46-year-old freshman senator has looked remarkably spry in recent days despite the debilitating nature of his coast-to-coast tussle with Clinton, who has confessed to her exhaustion and twice was close to tears on the trail.

Clinton's supporters applauded politely when she congratulated him on his state victories Tuesday. But Obama boosters gathered in Chicago booed when Clinton appeared on television.

Despite his hangdog expression, Obama's chief strategist David Axelrod said, "I've got to say we're very happy."

"We're the underdogs and we need to fight hard," he said as the Obama-ites trooped into the night.

The Clinton campaign worked the phones late Monday making 12.2 million calls to voters. The lucky few would have heard the rumbling voice of Oscar-winning actor Jack Nicholson or "Cheers" star Ted Danson on the other end.

Obama does not lack for celebrity endorsements, with Hollywood legend Robert De Niro and chat-show queen Oprah Winfrey enthralled by his promise of a clean break with two decades of Bush and Clinton presidencies.

Republican John McCain hit back in the star wars by rolling out the incredible hulk of California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, at a small rally in a San Diego airport hangar.

"He is a man who will protect our borders," said the former "Terminator" cyborg. "He is fighting to say 'hasta la vista' to wasteful spending."

While McCain hopes soon to lock up the Republican nomination, the Democratic bout will now grind on into a clutch of states later this month, then next month, and perhaps even April.

And there's still the November general election to come.

AFP, February 6, 2008