Key excerpts: Hillary Clinton

Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has spoken to the Democratic National Convention, with many keen to see how firmly she would stand behind the party's nominee, Barack Obama.

Below are some key quotes from Mrs Clinton's speech.

ON PARTY UNITY

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's a fight we must win together.

No way. No how. No McCain. Barack Obama is my candidate. And he must be our president.

ON HER SUPPORTERS

For me, it's been a privilege to meet you in your homes, your workplaces, and your communities... You taught me so much, you made me laugh, and you even made me cry. You allowed me to become part of your lives. And you became part of mine. To my supporters, to my champions - my sisterhood of the travelling pantsuits - from the bottom of my heart: Thank you. Thank you because you never gave in and you never gave up.

STATE OF THE COUNTRY

After eight years of George Bush, people are hurting at home, and our standing has eroded around the world. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Jobs lost, houses gone, falling wages, rising prices. The Supreme Court in a right-wing headlock and our government in partisan gridlock. The biggest deficit in our nation's history. Money borrowed from the Chinese to buy oil from the Saudis. Putin and Georgia, Iraq and Iran.

PRESIDENT OBAMA

And when Barack Obama is in the White House, he'll revitalise our economy, defend the working people of America, and meet the global challenges of our time. Democrats know how to do this. As I recall, we did it before with President Clinton and the Democrats. And we will do it again with President Obama and the Democrats.

And Barack will have with him a terrific partner in Michelle Obama. Anyone who saw Michelle's speech last night knows she will be a great first lady for America. And Americans are fortunate that Joe Biden will be at Barack Obama's side.

THE FUTURE

Now, John McCain is my colleague and my friend. He has served our country with honour and courage. But we don't need four more years of the last eight years.

You always keep going. We are Americans. We're not big on quitting. But remember, before we can keep going, we have to get going by electing Barack Obama the next president of the United States. We don't have a moment to lose or a vote to spare. Nothing less than the fate of our nation and the future of our children hangs in the balance.

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