Democratic Convention 2016: Bill Clinton Argues Why Hillary Should Become President

Bill Clinton has backed why his wife and “best friend” Hillary for president at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Bill Clinton told the audience that Hillary was the “best darn change-maker I’ve ever known”.

In a very personal speech, the former president spoke warmly about how they met and her dedication to public service.

Hours earlier, Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be officially nominated for president by any major US party.

Hillary Clinton ended the night with a video message, saying: “I can’t believe we just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet.

“And if there are any little girls out there who stayed up late to watch, let me just say, I may become the first woman president but one of you is next.”

Earlier, Bill Clinton shared the story of how he and Hillary met at Yale Law School in the spring of 1971.

“I married my best friend,” said the ex-president.

“We’ve been walking and talking and laughing together ever since.”

Hillary Clinton, a former secretary of state and first lady, was uniquely qualified to be president, her husband said.

“Hillary opened my eyes to a whole new world of public service by private citizens,” Bill Clinton said before recounting her early career.

Hours before he spoke, Hillary Clinton passed the 2,382 delegates needed to claim the nomination after South Dakota announced its delegate vote count.

In a symbolic gesture of party unity, former Democratic rival Senator Bernie Sanders took the microphone to declare Hillary Clinton as the nominee by acclamation, to an eruption of cheers.

The second night of the Democratic convention focused on race and justice, topics that dominated last week’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

Dissention on the convention floor plagued the first day when Bernie Sanders supporters booed throughout the event.

At the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clinton called for a vote for Barack Obama by acclamation, ending the roll call vote in an effort to unite the party behind his candidacy.

Hillary Clinton will face off against Donald Trump in November.

Recent national polls suggest Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will be in a tight race for the White House.