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Obama named Democrats' candidate Obama named Democrats' candidate
(about 1 hour later)
Barack Obama has been formally named as the Democrats' candidate for the White House, the first African-American to be nominated by a major US party.Barack Obama has been formally named as the Democrats' candidate for the White House, the first African-American to be nominated by a major US party.
In a gesture of unity, Hillary Clinton, who lost to Mr Obama in her bid to be the party's presidential candidate, called a halt to a roll call of states.In a gesture of unity, Hillary Clinton, who lost to Mr Obama in her bid to be the party's presidential candidate, called a halt to a roll call of states.
She said: "Let's declare together in one voice, right here, right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate."She said: "Let's declare together in one voice, right here, right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate."
Former President Bill Clinton is to address the party's convention later.Former President Bill Clinton is to address the party's convention later.
Mr Clinton, Hillary's husband, will be followed by Joe Biden, Mr Obama's running-mate.Mr Clinton, Hillary's husband, will be followed by Joe Biden, Mr Obama's running-mate.
Mr Obama has arrived in Denver, where the Democratic convention is taking place, but is not due to speak until Thursday.Mr Obama has arrived in Denver, where the Democratic convention is taking place, but is not due to speak until Thursday.
His confirmation by acclamation as the party's presidential candidate, greeted by loud cheers from the convention floor, represents a historic first.His confirmation by acclamation as the party's presidential candidate, greeted by loud cheers from the convention floor, represents a historic first.
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Obama gets formal nominationObama gets formal nomination
He will stand against Republican John McCain in the 4 November presidential election. Mr Obama will stand against Republican John McCain in the 4 November presidential election.
Speaking to a crowd of about 3,000 people ahead of the roll call, Mrs Clinton released her delegates - supporters won by her during the primary election process - to vote for Mr Obama. The nomination itself was a mix of formality and tension, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly in Denver.
"This has been a joy. We didn't make it, but boy did we have a good time trying," she said. The Obama camp had hoped to avoid a state-by-state rundown based on the primary election results, which would have revealed how narrow his victory over Mrs Clinton was, our correspondent says. 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 class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/justinwebb/2008/08/a_moment_in_history.html">Read Justin's thoughts in full
After a few days of behind-the-scene discussions, Mrs Clinton agreed to release her delegates - supporters won by her during the primaries - freeing them to take part in a display of party unity.
"This has been a joy. We didn't make it, but boy did we have a good time trying," Mrs Clinton said in a speech to about 3,000 people ahead of the roll call.
Many in the crowd shouted back "No!" as she released them, but Mrs Clinton urged them to put the party first.Many in the crowd shouted back "No!" as she released them, but Mrs Clinton urged them to put the party first.
"We will leave Denver united," she said. "My goal is that we win in November.""We will leave Denver united," she said. "My goal is that we win in November."
The roll call for the nomination - in which each state, in alphabetical order, declares how many votes were cast for each candidate in the primaries - included Mrs Clinton's name in a bid to placate her disappointed supporters.The roll call for the nomination - in which each state, in alphabetical order, declares how many votes were cast for each candidate in the primaries - included Mrs Clinton's name in a bid to placate her disappointed supporters.
Experienced shouldersExperienced shoulders
In his address, Mr Clinton is expected to launch attacks on Mr McCain and on the Bush administration, particularly over the state of the US economy. CONVENTION AGENDA Wednesday: Speeches by Bill Clinton and Joe Biden; vote to confirm Barack Obama as party's candidateThursday: Obama to accept nomination with speech in stadium Convention programmeVoters' views on the conventionConvention diaryIn his address, Mr Clinton is expected to launch attacks on Mr McCain and on the Bush administration, particularly over the state of the US economy. CONVENTION AGENDA Wednesday: Speeches by Bill Clinton and Joe Biden; vote to confirm Barack Obama as party's candidateThursday: Obama to accept nomination with speech in stadium Convention programmeVoters' views on the conventionConvention diary
His speech will be closely scrutinised for signs of lingering resentment over the bruising primary Democratic campaign, which ended in defeat for his wife, correspondents say.His speech will be closely scrutinised for signs of lingering resentment over the bruising primary Democratic campaign, which ended in defeat for his wife, correspondents say.
Wednesday's addresses are expected to focus on foreign policy and security.Wednesday's addresses are expected to focus on foreign policy and security.
Some observers say the topics have been weak points of Senator Obama's campaign so far.Some observers say the topics have been weak points of Senator Obama's campaign so far.
Senator Biden, 65, is a veteran foreign policy expert who was chosen as vice-presidential candidate by 47-year-old Mr Obama partly on account of his experience.Senator Biden, 65, is a veteran foreign policy expert who was chosen as vice-presidential candidate by 47-year-old Mr Obama partly on account of his experience.
Mr Obama will headline Thursday's convention speeches, having spent the first part of the week campaigning in battleground states, and will formally accept the party's nomination then.Mr Obama will headline Thursday's convention speeches, having spent the first part of the week campaigning in battleground states, and will formally accept the party's nomination then.
'Unite'
Speaking at the convention on Tuesday, Mrs Clinton said the Democrats could not afford to lose to the Republicans.
She is the quintessential steely politician now - nothing that has happened to her since New Hampshire (including losing!) has done her anything but good BBC North America editor Justin Webb, on Hillary Clinton Read Justin's thoughts in full
"Whether you voted for me or voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose," she said.
Some of the defeated candidate's supporters have suggested they will not vote for her former rival, but she asked them to remember why they were in the campaign.
Mrs Clinton accused John McCain of being indifferent to the economic slowdown and of failing to recognise the need for health and social reform.