"I'm here tonight as a proud mother, as a proud Democrat, as a proud Senator from New York, as a proud American and a proud supporter for Barack Obama," Clinton told the crowd that greeted her with a two-minute-plus standing ovation when she took the Pepsi Center stage.

"My friends, it is time to take back the country we love," she said in laying out a message of unity, "and whether you voted for me or you voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose."

Among those giving her multiple standing ovations were Michelle Obama, Barack's wife, and Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, Obama's running mate. Clinton's husband, Bill, also was in the crowd, clapping, standing, smiling and mouthing "I love you."

Democrats are all on the same team and cannot afford to sit on the sidelines, Clinton said.

"This is a fight for the future and it is a fight we must win together," she said.

She said she didn't spend 35 years in public service to continue to "suffer more failed leadership" if Sen. John McCain of Arizona, awaiting the Republican nomination next week in St. Paul, Minn., were elected president.

"No way. No how. No McCain," she said, to another standing ovation.

In closing, Clinton said, exhorted the delegates and viewing public to elect Obama and Biden "for that future worthy of our great country."