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Democrats await key Obama speech Democrats await key Obama speech
(9 minutes later)
Barack Obama is set to address US Democrats at the party's national convention, a day after being chosen as their candidate for the White House.Barack Obama is set to address US Democrats at the party's national convention, a day after being chosen as their candidate for the White House.
Mr Obama, the first African-American to be nominated for president by a major US party, will formally accept his historic candidacy in Denver, Colorado.Mr Obama, the first African-American to be nominated for president by a major US party, will formally accept his historic candidacy in Denver, Colorado.
It comes exactly 45 years since Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" address.It comes exactly 45 years since Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" address.
His son, Martin Luther King III, told the convention that his father's dream lived on in Mr Obama's candidacy.His son, Martin Luther King III, told the convention that his father's dream lived on in Mr Obama's candidacy.
Speaking at the Invesco stadium in Denver where Mr Obama is to appear later, he said: "We are all the children of the dream and he is here in all of our hearts and minds.Speaking at the Invesco stadium in Denver where Mr Obama is to appear later, he said: "We are all the children of the dream and he is here in all of our hearts and minds.
"But not only that, he lives in the hopes and dreams, the competence and courage, the rightness and readiness of Barack Obama.""But not only that, he lives in the hopes and dreams, the competence and courage, the rightness and readiness of Barack Obama."
Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States Former President Bill Clinton Convention programmeVoters' views on the conventionDiary: Obama's mission Former Vice-President Al Gore is also due to speak on Thursday, along with Democratic National Committee Chairman Governor Howard Dean, but the focus will be on Mr Obama. Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States Former President Bill Clinton Convention programmeVoters' views on the conventionDiary: Democrats get down Former Vice-President Al Gore is also due to speak on Thursday, along with Democratic National Committee Chairman Governor Howard Dean, but the focus will be on Mr Obama.
According to excerpts released ahead of his speech, Mr Obama will promise to reverse the economic downturn afflicting the US and restore the nation's standing in the world.According to excerpts released ahead of his speech, Mr Obama will promise to reverse the economic downturn afflicting the US and restore the nation's standing in the world.
He will also attack the record of the Bush administration and his Republican rival for the presidency, John McCain.He will also attack the record of the Bush administration and his Republican rival for the presidency, John McCain.
"We are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look just like the last eight years," he will say."We are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look just like the last eight years," he will say.
Meanwhile, Republican officials say their contender, John McCain, has chosen his running-mate, but the person's identity has not yet been announced.Meanwhile, Republican officials say their contender, John McCain, has chosen his running-mate, but the person's identity has not yet been announced.
Mr McCain is due to hold a 10,000-strong rally in the swing state of Ohio on Friday, at which it was expected he would present his vice-presidential candidate.Mr McCain is due to hold a 10,000-strong rally in the swing state of Ohio on Friday, at which it was expected he would present his vice-presidential candidate.
Rumours swirled on Thursday amid reports that a front-runner for the role, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, had abruptly cancelled several appointments for the next day.Rumours swirled on Thursday amid reports that a front-runner for the role, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, had abruptly cancelled several appointments for the next day.
Coronation grandeurCoronation grandeur
Mr Obama's much-anticipated speech, scheduled for 2015 (0215 GMT), will be the highlight of the party's carefully choreographed four-day event.Mr Obama's much-anticipated speech, scheduled for 2015 (0215 GMT), will be the highlight of the party's carefully choreographed four-day event.
It is likely to have all the pomp and grandeur of a coronation, says the BBC's Matthew Price at the Denver Bronco's stadium.It is likely to have all the pomp and grandeur of a coronation, says the BBC's Matthew Price at the Denver Bronco's stadium.
Questions remain as to whether Mr Obama can cement his standing within his own party, and reach out to those parts of the electorate that are yet to be convinced by him, our correspondent notes.Questions remain as to whether Mr Obama can cement his standing within his own party, and reach out to those parts of the electorate that are yet to be convinced by him, our correspondent notes.
He was resoundingly endorsed by ex-President Bill Clinton on Wednesday, which may help consolidate his standing.He was resoundingly endorsed by ex-President Bill Clinton on Wednesday, which may help consolidate his standing.
Earlier that same day, in a moment of high drama, his defeated rival Hillary Clinton cut short a roll-call vote to endorse Mr Obama's candidacy by acclamation, in a powerful gesture of unity.Earlier that same day, in a moment of high drama, his defeated rival Hillary Clinton cut short a roll-call vote to endorse Mr Obama's candidacy by acclamation, in a powerful gesture of unity.
'New approach''New approach'
Mr Obama made a surprise appearance on stage on Wednesday after his running mate, Senator Joe Biden, accepted his own nomination for vice-president in a speech that was sharply critical of Mr McCain.Mr Obama made a surprise appearance on stage on Wednesday after his running mate, Senator Joe Biden, accepted his own nomination for vice-president in a speech that was sharply critical of Mr McCain.
"We want to open up this convention to make sure that everybody who wants to come can join in the party, and join in the effort to take America back," Mr Obama said."We want to open up this convention to make sure that everybody who wants to come can join in the party, and join in the effort to take America back," Mr Obama said.
Mr Biden stressed the need for a new approach to help Americans struggling to make ends meet and to change US foreign policy in the rest of the world.Mr Biden stressed the need for a new approach to help Americans struggling to make ends meet and to change US foreign policy in the rest of the world.
The 65-year-old foreign policy expert was chosen as vice-presidential candidate by 47-year-old Mr Obama partly on account of his experience.The 65-year-old foreign policy expert was chosen as vice-presidential candidate by 47-year-old Mr Obama partly on account of his experience.
Clinton factorClinton factor
In an address that was bound to be closely scrutinised for signs of discord, Bill Clinton, the last Democratic president, struck a firmly conciliatory note and stressed that he believed Mr Obama was ready to be president. 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 fullIn an address that was bound to be closely scrutinised for signs of discord, Bill Clinton, the last Democratic president, struck a firmly conciliatory note and stressed that he believed Mr Obama was ready to be president. 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
He said he was proud of his wife, Hillary - who had battled Mr Obama for the Democratic nomination - but that her supporters should now back Mr Obama.He said he was proud of his wife, Hillary - who had battled Mr Obama for the Democratic nomination - but that her supporters should now back Mr Obama.
"Barack Obama is ready to honour the oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution," said Mr Clinton. "Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States.""Barack Obama is ready to honour the oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution," said Mr Clinton. "Barack Obama is ready to be president of the United States."
In American political parlance Mr Clinton "delivered", and may now find himself playing a higher-profile role in the campaign to come, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Washington.In American political parlance Mr Clinton "delivered", and may now find himself playing a higher-profile role in the campaign to come, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Washington.
The presidential election on 4 November will pit Mr Obama against Mr McCain, who will be nominated next week at his party's convention in St Paul, Minnesota.The presidential election on 4 November will pit Mr Obama against Mr McCain, who will be nominated next week at his party's convention in St Paul, Minnesota.