Hillary's unifying call to Democrats
Hillary Clinton has urged her supporters to unite and back former rival Barack Obama in his bid to win back the White House from the Republicans.
At the Democratic Party's national convention in Denver, Mrs Clinton put the full weight of her presidential campaign and her political career behind the man who beat her in the race for US presidential nominee.
She gave a passionate speech which drew thunderous applause and won widespread praise from Democrats.
Mrs Clinton told the convention: "I'm here tonight as a proud mother, a proud Democrat, a proud senator from New York, a proud American and a proud supporter of Barack Obama.
"My friends, it is time to take back the country we love. And whether you voted for me, or you voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose.
"We are on the same team and none of us can afford to sit on the sidelines. This is a fight for the future and it is a fight we must win together."
The 60-year-old New York senator went on: "I haven't spent the last 35 years in the trenches, advocating for children, campaigning for universal healthcare, helping parents balance work and family and fighting for women's rights here at home and around the world to see another Republican in the White House squander our promise of a country that really fulfils the hopes of our people."
She said she and Americans had not "endured the last eight years" to "suffer through more failed leadership", adding: "No way, no how, no McCain. Barack Obama is my candidate and he must be our president."
But tensions between the two camps will no doubt remain.
During a 16-month long primary season, Mrs Clinton was one of Mr Obama's fiercest critics and her remarks will not simply go away overnight - especially as they have been used in a series of attack adverts from Republican John McCain's campaign in recent days.
Mr Obama's vice-presidential running mate, Delaware Senator Joe Biden, will be the main speaker on day three of the convention.
But the event with the most potential for drama will come when former president Bill Clinton takes the stage.
The ex-President has had trouble reconciling with Mr Obama after a feud in which the Illinois senator, who would be America's first black president, accused Mr Clinton of injecting racial politics into the campaign.
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