Clinton calls for unity behind Obama

DENVER, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Hillary Clinton exhorted Democrats in Denver Tuesday to unite behind Barack Obama, took a few swipes at his likely Republican opponent and poked fun at herself.

While urging her supporters to back Obama, poised to accept the party nomination Thursday during the Democratic National Convention in Denver, The New York senator also criticized the "failed policies" of President George Bush and likely Republican nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

"(It) makes perfect sense that George Bush and John McCain will be together next week in (St. Paul, Minn., for the GOP convention), because these days they're awfully hard to tell apart," she said.

Clinton poked fun at her attire of choice when thanking her supporters, her champions and "my sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits."

Before Clinton's speech -- the evening's finale -- several speakers spoke of Obama's energy plank and how it would help wean America from its dependence on foreign oil.

AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said an Obama administration "is going to bring energy independent to America and make it a reality."

Sen. Bob Casey got the crowd invigorated by saying the Republicans would be in office "four more months."

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer got the room on its feet -- literally -- when he asked delegates to "get off your hind ends" so Republicans and other could hear who the United States' next president would be -- "OBAMA" the crowd screamed.

"Let's go win this election," Schweitzer said in closing.