Former Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney endorsed erstwhile rival John McCain last night and urged Republicans to unite behind him in a gesture that could help Mr McCain with disgruntled conservatives.
In the Democratic race, Senator Hillary Clinton scored a much-needed victory in New Mexico and accused surging opponent Barack Obama of lacking substance and experience as she fought for political traction in Ohio after a string of losses.
Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain and former rival Mitt Romney at Mr Romney's campaign headquarters in Boston
After a rough campaign battle between them to be the party's nominee in November's election, Mr Romney offered conciliatory words to Mr McCain a week after dropping out of the race, calling him an American hero.
"Even when the contest was close and our disagreements were debated, the calibre of the man was apparent," Mr Romney said with Mr McCain at his side. "This is a man capable of leading our country at a dangerous hour."
Mr McCain said it was a hard campaign but "now we move forward together for the good of our party and our nation."
Mr Romney (61), and Mr McCain (71), had battled bitterly over who was the real conservative in the race, culminating in a caustic debate in California on January 30th.
That was set aside in Boston at yesterday's endorsement ceremony, which was intended to encourage Republican conservatives long distrustful of Mr McCain to unite behind the all-but-certain nominee.
Mr McCain still faces opposition from former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who has picked up the support of some conservatives who had been backing Mr Romney.
While Republicans were busily trying to unite, Mrs Clinton was trying to stop Mr Obama's wave of momentum. She welcomed news from New Mexico that she had won the party's presidential contest on February 5th in a vote so close it took nine days to count and verify.
"I am so proud to have earned the support of New Mexicans from across the state," Mrs Clinton said in a statement, adding she had been awarded 14 of the state's 26 delegates to the party's nominating convention this summer.