USA Clinton calls for an Obama presidency and blasts McCain 27/08/08 06:07 CET

Hillary Clinton has had her day at the Democrat convention in Denver. Not the day she had been hoping for, as her speech was to back Barack Obama and not accept the presidential nomination for herself. But with daughter Chelsea and husband Bill in the audience, she ripped into George Bush and John McCain, eulogised Obama, and earned a standing ovation.

“It is time to take back the country we love. And wether you voted for me or you voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose,” she said.

There was no Clinton supporters revolt so feared by the Democrats, so the party now looks in good shape for the November contest.

“Barack Obama is my candidate and he must be our president,” she concluded.

One of the latest opinion polls gives John McCain a two point lead over Barack Obama, his first lead since June when Obama clinched the Democrat’s nomination. Since then his campaign has failed to take off, and this is the latest sign his victory is far from assured.