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Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., right, walks with her daughter, Chelsea, during a podium tour at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Tuesday. (Charles Dharapak)

Clinton at the convention

By: David Espo - AP

Posted: 8/27/08

DENVER - Former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton closed out her history-making 2008 quest for the White House Tuesday with a prime-time appearance at the Democratic National Convention, while party leaders were caught up in curious debate about the wisdom of assailing Republican John McCain from the podium.

Despite lingering unhappiness among some delegates nursing grievances over Clinton's loss, party chairman Howard Dean declared the convention determined to make Barack Obama the nation's first black president.

"There is not a unity problem. If anyone doubts that, wait till you see Hillary Clinton's speech," he said.

Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner was tapped to deliver the keynote address on the convention's second night.

It was the same assignment that Obama - then an Illinois state lawmaker running for the Senate - used four years ago to launch his astonishing ascent in national politics.

Clinton paid an advance visit to the convention hall in late morning with her daughter, Chelsea. While her appearance was the main event of the night, it was far from the role she envisioned more than a year ago when she launched her bid to become the first female commander in chief.

She was the prohibitive front-runner then, but soon found herself in a riveting struggle with Obama that she could not win. Obama campaigned in Missouri Tuesday as he slowly made his way toward the convention city.

Speaking to airline workers in a giant hangar, he accused the Bush administration of failing to enforce health and safety laws and said McCain "doesn't get it" when it comes to the concerns of blue collar workers. The 47-year-old Illinois senator formally receives the nomination on Wednesday in a roll call that will also give Clinton's supporters a chance to cast votes for her.