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Bill Clinton vows to back Obama Bill Clinton vows to back Obama
(20 minutes later)
Former President Bill Clinton has given his firm backing to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, saying he "is the man for this job". Former President Bill Clinton has given his firm backing to US Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, saying he "is the man for this job".
He said he was proud of his wife, Hillary, for her campaign but that her supporters should now back Mr Obama.He said he was proud of his wife, Hillary, for her campaign but that her supporters should now back Mr Obama.
Earlier, Mr Obama was formally named as Democratic candidate for the White House, the first African-American to be nominated by a major US party.Earlier, Mr Obama was formally named as Democratic candidate for the White House, the first African-American to be nominated by a major US party.
Mrs Clinton called for his nomination by voice vote, in a gesture of unity.Mrs Clinton called for his nomination by voice vote, in a gesture of unity.
She said: "Let's declare together in one voice, right here, right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate."She said: "Let's declare together in one voice, right here, right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate."
Mr Clinton was given an enthusiastic welcome by delegates to the Democratic convention in Denver, watched by his wife and their daughter, Chelsea.Mr Clinton was given an enthusiastic welcome by delegates to the Democratic convention in Denver, watched by his wife and their daughter, Chelsea.
Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States Former President Bill Clinton Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States Former President Bill Clinton class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7585345.stm">Key excerpts: Bill Clinton
In an address that was bound to be closely scrutinised for signs of discord, he struck a conciliatory note and for the first time said he believed Mr Obama was ready to be president. In an address that was bound to be closely scrutinised for signs of discord, he struck a conciliatory note and stressed that he believed Mr Obama was ready to be president.
"Last night Hillary told us in no uncertain terms that she is going to do everything she can to elect Barack Obama. That makes two of us."Last night Hillary told us in no uncertain terms that she is going to do everything she can to elect Barack Obama. That makes two of us.
"Actually that makes 18 million of us - because, like Hillary, I want all of you who supported her to vote for Barack Obama in November.""Actually that makes 18 million of us - because, like Hillary, I want all of you who supported her to vote for Barack Obama in November."
Mr Clinton spoke of Mr Obama's "remarkable ability to inspire people" and said he had made a great choice of running mate in Senator Joe Biden, due to speak later. The former president spoke of Mr Obama's "remarkable ability to inspire people" and said he had made a great choice of running mate in Senator Joe Biden, due to speak later.
He went on: "Barack Obama is ready to honour the oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States."He went on: "Barack Obama is ready to honour the oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States."
Bill Clinton backs Obama
Mr Clinton drew a comparison between Republican attacks on Mr Obama over his inexperience and youth and criticisms he himself suffered in 1992.
"Sound familiar? It didn't work in 1992, because we were on the right side of history. And it won't work in 2008 , because Barack Obama is on the right side of history."
Mr Obama has arrived in Denver, where the Democratic convention is taking place, but is not due to speak until Thursday.Mr Obama has arrived in Denver, where the Democratic convention is taking place, but is not due to speak until Thursday.
His confirmation by acclamation as the party's presidential candidate, greeted by loud cheers from the convention floor, represents a historic first.His confirmation by acclamation as the party's presidential candidate, greeted by loud cheers from the convention floor, represents a historic first.
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Obama gets formal nomination
Mr Obama will stand against Republican John McCain in the 4 November presidential election.Mr Obama will stand against Republican John McCain in the 4 November presidential election.
The nomination itself was a mix of formality and tension, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Denver.The nomination itself was a mix of formality and tension, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Denver.
The Obama camp had hoped to avoid a state-by-state rundown based on the primary election results, which would have revealed how narrow his victory over Mrs Clinton was, our correspondent says. It was stunning - a moment of brilliantly produced political theatre and a moment to cherish forever BBC North America editor Justin Webb, on the Obama nomination Read Justin's thoughts in fullThe Obama camp had hoped to avoid a state-by-state rundown based on the primary election results, which would have revealed how narrow his victory over Mrs Clinton was, our correspondent says. It was stunning - a moment of brilliantly produced political theatre and a moment to cherish forever BBC North America editor Justin Webb, on the Obama nomination Read Justin's thoughts in full
After a few days of behind-the-scene discussions, Mrs Clinton agreed to release her delegates - supporters won by her during the primaries - freeing them to take part in a display of party unity.After a few days of behind-the-scene discussions, Mrs Clinton agreed to release her delegates - supporters won by her during the primaries - freeing them to take part in a display of party unity.
"This has been a joy. We didn't make it, but boy did we have a good time trying," Mrs Clinton said in a speech to about 3,000 people ahead of the roll call."This has been a joy. We didn't make it, but boy did we have a good time trying," Mrs Clinton said in a speech to about 3,000 people ahead of the roll call.
Many in the crowd shouted back "No!" as she released them, but Mrs Clinton urged them to put the party first.Many in the crowd shouted back "No!" as she released them, but Mrs Clinton urged them to put the party first.
"We will leave Denver united," she said. "My goal is that we win in November.""We will leave Denver united," she said. "My goal is that we win in November."
The roll call for the nomination - in which each state, in alphabetical order, declares how many votes were cast for each candidate in the primaries - included Mrs Clinton's name in a bid to placate her disappointed supporters.The roll call for the nomination - in which each state, in alphabetical order, declares how many votes were cast for each candidate in the primaries - included Mrs Clinton's name in a bid to placate her disappointed supporters.
Experienced shouldersExperienced shoulders
Wednesday's addresses are expected to focus on foreign policy and security.Wednesday's addresses are expected to focus on foreign policy and security.
CONVENTION AGENDA Wednesday: Speeches by Bill Clinton and Joe Biden; vote to confirm Barack Obama as party's candidateThursday: Obama to accept nomination with speech in stadium Convention programmeVoters' views on the conventionConvention diaryCONVENTION AGENDA Wednesday: Speeches by Bill Clinton and Joe Biden; vote to confirm Barack Obama as party's candidateThursday: Obama to accept nomination with speech in stadium Convention programmeVoters' views on the conventionConvention diary
Some observers say the topics have been weak points of Senator Obama's campaign so far.Some observers say the topics have been weak points of Senator Obama's campaign so far.
Senator Biden, 65, is a veteran foreign policy expert who was chosen as vice-presidential candidate by 47-year-old Mr Obama partly on account of his experience.Senator Biden, 65, is a veteran foreign policy expert who was chosen as vice-presidential candidate by 47-year-old Mr Obama partly on account of his experience.
Mr Obama will headline Thursday's convention speeches, having spent the first part of the week campaigning in battleground states, and will formally accept the party's nomination then.Mr Obama will headline Thursday's convention speeches, having spent the first part of the week campaigning in battleground states, and will formally accept the party's nomination then.
The Republican Party's national convention opens in Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota, on Monday.The Republican Party's national convention opens in Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota, on Monday.