Clinton: Obama Is My Candidate

Clinton also campaigned for a renewed America, advocating for the middle class:

"I ran for president to renew the promise of America. To rebuild the middle class and sustain the American dream, to provide the opportunity to work hard and have that work rewarded, to save for college, a home and retirement, to afford the gas and groceries and still have a little left over each month."

She sees alternative energy and green industry as a way to rebuild America, create high-paying jobs and secure our future. Not only were these the reasons she ran for president, she said, but they are also the reasons why she wants her supporters to now rally behind and vote for Obama.

Surprisingly, Clinton failed to address women's reproductive rights -- an issue she has cared deeply about her entire career. Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) has said many times in the campaign: "I'm pro-life." According to a poll by NARAL Pro-Choice, McCain tends to lose support among women who find out he's against reproductive choice.

McCain's campaign has been very careful not to correct some of the offhanded remarks made by some supporters that seem to offer the impression McCain supports choice. Carly Fiorina, former CEO of H-P (HPQ Quote), commented on the inequity of health insurance companies that cover the cost of Viagra but not contraception. McCain has ignored the issue when questioned by reporters.

His campaign has also run a new ad with a former Clinton supporter, Debra Bartoshevich. Speaking at a press conference, Bartoshevich repeated a McCain comment from 1999 saying it would not make sense to overturn Roe v. Wade. However, his campaign Web site states Roe v. Wade must be overturned.

In her speech, Clinton lavished high praise on Michelle Obama: "Anyone who saw Michelle's speech last night knows she will be a great first lady for America." Clinton also commented on Obama's vice-presidential pick, calling Sen. Joe Biden (D., Del.) a "strong leader and a good man."

Clinton really ramped toward the end of her speech when she evoked the message of another New Yorker, antislavery activist and African-American Harriet Tubman. Clinton quoted Tubman: "If you want a taste of freedom, keep going." Certainly, Clinton kept going in the primary season.

But Clinton knows her time, for now, is over and it's Obama's time. She closed:

"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 president."