Clinton hails Obama
Friday, 29 August 2008
Former President Bill Clinton has given unequivocal backing to US Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, saying he "is ready to lead America".
He was the man to restore US leadership in the world, Mr Clinton told Democrats gathered at their convention in Denver, BBC reports,
Mr Obama made a surprise appearance on the stage after Joe Biden accepted his own nomination for vice-president.
Mr Obama, the first African-American to be nominated by a major US party, will speak later Thursday to accept.
Appearing at the end of Mr Biden's address, Mr Obama joked that the party's convention was "going pretty well" and praised his wife, Michelle, and Hillary Clinton for their speeches.
He said the final convention event, to be held in a sports stadium in front of more than 70,000 people, was designed to demonstrate that change comes from ordinary people doing "extraordinary things".
"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," he said.
The presidential election on 4 November will pit Mr Obama against Republican John McCain, who will be nominated next week at his party's convention in Minneapolis-St Paul.
The last Democratic president, Bill Clinton, was given an enthusiastic welcome by convention delegates, watched by his wife, Hillary, and their daughter, Chelsea.
In an address that was bound to be closely scrutinised for signs of discord, he struck a firmly conciliatory note and stressed that he believed Mr Obama was ready to be president.
He was the man to restore US leadership in the world, Mr Clinton told Democrats gathered at their convention in Denver, BBC reports,
Mr Obama made a surprise appearance on the stage after Joe Biden accepted his own nomination for vice-president.
Mr Obama, the first African-American to be nominated by a major US party, will speak later Thursday to accept.
Appearing at the end of Mr Biden's address, Mr Obama joked that the party's convention was "going pretty well" and praised his wife, Michelle, and Hillary Clinton for their speeches.
He said the final convention event, to be held in a sports stadium in front of more than 70,000 people, was designed to demonstrate that change comes from ordinary people doing "extraordinary things".
"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," he said.
The presidential election on 4 November will pit Mr Obama against Republican John McCain, who will be nominated next week at his party's convention in Minneapolis-St Paul.
The last Democratic president, Bill Clinton, was given an enthusiastic welcome by convention delegates, watched by his wife, Hillary, and their daughter, Chelsea.
In an address that was bound to be closely scrutinised for signs of discord, he struck a firmly conciliatory note and stressed that he believed Mr Obama was ready to be president.