In Historic Vote, Obama Officially Claims Democratic Nomination

Biden also sought to put the convention firmly into the control of the Obama-Biden campaign, after two days of sharing the limelight with Hillary and Bill Clinton.

"The choice in this election is clear," the Delaware senator said. "These times require more than a good solider; they require a wise leader, a leader who can deliver change -- the change everybody knows we need."

Bill Clinton followed the lead of his wife in backing Obama, and took her criticism of McCain still further.

Obama campaign officials were pleased with Hillary Clinton's performance. Obama called both Clintons to congratulate them.

But Republicans continued to foment division this morning, saying Hillary Clinton did not rebut the central attack she lodged against Obama in the primary fight, that he is not ready for the White House. Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani took up the cudgel today, declaring Obama "dangerously" inexperienced for a job that involves life-and-death decisions on the international stage.

Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) replied that those were the kinds of unfair attacks that would turn voters off in a climate in which fears of external threats are taking a back seat to anxieties over the economy. With his background, growing up the son of a struggling single mother, Obama "can relate to the kind of struggles that people in America and in Colorado are feeling right now," said Salazar, who will formally nominate Obama for the presidency tonight.