Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was defeated in the Democratic presidential primary earlier this year by Barack Obama, addressed the party's national convention on Tuesday night, rallying support for her former rival.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was defeated in the Democratic presidential primary earlier this year by Barack Obama, addressed the party's national convention on Tuesday night, rallying support for her former rival.

"Barack Obama is my candidate. And he must be our President," Clinton voiced her strongest signal to stand behind the Illinois Senator, in front of thousands of Democrats in Pepsi Center.

The New York Senator made the statement after recent polls showed about 27 percent of her supporters said they would vote for Republican presidential candidate John McCain in November instead of Obama, compared to 16 percent two months ago.

After Clinton dropped out the race on June 7, she threw her support for Obama, followed by her husband, Bill Clinton.

Her supporters have been demanding Obama share ticket with the former First Lady, who has won 18 million popular votes in the primary. But Joe Biden was the final choice of Obama as the No.2.

"Tonight we need to remember what a Presidential election is really about," she said, adding her reasons to run for the president are exactly reasons she supports Obama.

To those who were still skeptical about Obama's electability, Clinton asked, "Were you in this campaign just for me?" or "Were you in it for all people in this country who feel invisible?"

She underscored the need for a President like Obama who can "revitalize our economy, defend the working people and meet the global challenge." In the year to mark the 88th anniversary of suffrage for the U.S. women, the first female presidential candidate who used to have the serious possibility to gain the White House, hailed the historical event.

Clinton's name will appear in the roll call at the national convention when Democratic delegates will vote for the presidential candidate, as a way to honor her outstanding performance in the primary and to comfort her supporters.

Her husband Bill Clinton is set to deliver a speech to the convention on Wednesday night.

The four-day convention will be concluded with the acceptance of nominations of Obama and Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate, respectively.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was defeated in the Democratic presidential primary earlier this year by Barack Obama, addressed the party's national convention on Tuesday night, rallying support for her former rival.

(Xinhua News Agency August 27, 2008)