Clinton backs Obama; nominates him as presidential candidate

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Former US President Bill Clinton has formally nominated Barack Obama as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, making a passionate plea to his countrymen to vote in his favour saying the incumbent was cool on the outside but 'burns for America' inside.

Taking up the podium at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte on Wednesday night as last speaker on the second day of the Democratic National Convention, charismatic Clinton said he wants to nominate a man whose own life has known its fair share of adversity and uncertainty.

"We're here to nominate a President, and I've got one in mind... I want Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States and I proudly nominate him to the standard bearer of the Democratic Party," Clinton said.

"I want to nominate a man cool on the outside but burning for America on the inside. A man who believes we can build a new American Dream economy driven by innovation and creativity, education and cooperation. A man who had the good sense to marry Michelle Obama," he said.

"I proudly nominate him as the standard bearer of the Democratic Party," Clinton said amidst a loud applause and cheer from the thousands of people attending the three-day Democratic national convention.

Clinton's nomination of Obama as the Democratic candidate was approved by the party's delegates at the convention.

Obama faces Republican Mitt Romney in the November presidential elections. Clinton said Obama's approach embodies the values, the ideas, and the direction America must take to build a 21st century version of the American Dream in a nation of shared opportunities, shared prosperity and shared responsibilities.

Referring to the November 6 elections, he said Americans have to decide what kind of country they want to live in.

"If you want a you're on your own, winner take all society you should support the Republican ticket. If you want a country of shared opportunities and shared responsibilities – a 'we're all in it together' society, you should vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden," he said.