Sen. Hillary Clinton delivered a powerful speech and a ringing endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama last night at the Democratic Convention. Her speech will go a long way towards unifying the Democratic Party and focusing our sights on a crucial goal: electing Barack Obama as our next president.

Hillary Rodham Clinton summoned the millions of voters who supported her in the primaries to send Barack Obama to the White House Tuesday night, and drew thunderous applause at the Democratic National Convention when she declared her one-time rival is “my candidate and he must be our president.”

“We don’t have a moment to lose or a vote to spare,” said the former first lady, writing the final chapter in a quest for the White House every bit as pioneering as Obama’s own.

The packed convention floor became a sea of white “Hillary” signs as the New York senator _ Obama’s fiercest rival across 56 primaries and caucuses _ strode to the podium for her prime-time speech. The signs were soon replaced others that read simply, “Unity.”

Here is a short video of reactions by women in Denver to Sen. Clinton’s speech:

Here are a couple of photos courtesy of Pam’s House Blend. We will have video and text when it is available.

The full text of Tobias’ speech is after the jump.

My fellow Democrats, this is the third time I’ve had the privilege of addressing you: first in 2000, when things were great, with surpluses as far as the eye could see; then in 2004, when we’d already veered sharply off course; and now, in 2008, when Republican mismanagement has really hit home around the kitchen table, where the bills are paid. But we can begin to change that. Because we sure can’t afford four more years of this.

The fact is that the economy and the stock market do better under Democratic administrations. And one of the reasons is surely whom Democrats turn to for advice. Senator Obama turns to people like Warren Buffet, the best-respected businessman in the world, and to former Treasury secretaries Rubin and Summers, who helped Bill Clinton shake off the economic malaise of the first George Bush.

Senator McCain turns to lobbyists like Phil Gramm. You know the guy who said, “We’re just a nation of whiners.” Are we really? Eight years ago, virtually everyone in America was doing better, from richest to poorest. Now look. Inflation is up. Foreclosures are up. Gas is up. Job losses are up. And our national debt — just 30 percent of GDP when the Reagan-Bush voodoo economics began, will be up to 70 percent — $10 trillion — by the time George W. Bush finally leaves office.

Meanwhile Phil Gramm spends his time accusing us of being down. About the only guy who seems to have done really well these last eight years is a guy with a private jet and so many homes that he loses count. In just the last eight years, the Republicans have cut the value of the U.S. dollar almost in half and added $4 trillion to our children’s debt. They’ve done this in just eight years. And now they want four more?

As an investor, I yearn for a president who looks to financial heroes, not corporate lobbyists, for economic advice. As a gay man, I yearn for a president who believes in equal rights for all Americans. But most of all, as an American, I yearn for a president that the world can root for and be inspired by. Because having much of the world on our side again would not only be good for our national security, it would be good for business. Vote Obama, my fellow Democrats. Because, boy, do we ever need a change.

H/T: Bilerico

Many LGBT delegates, journalists, bloggers and support teams are busy making last minute plans for the Democratic National Convention in Denver.  Following is a recent listing of LGBT specific events, as well as the Convention primetime themes.

(Last updated: August 18, 2008)

Sunday, August 24
10:00am-11:30am Stonewall Democrats Brunch Renaissance Hotel 3801 Quebec St, Denver, CO 80207 Stonewall Democrats $28

6:00-9:00pm Create Change Cocktail Reception Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret, 1601 Arapahoe Street, Denver, CO 80204 The Task Force VIP $175, General $75

7:30-10:00pm Cocktail & Desert Reception The Westin Tabor Center, Augusta Room Stonewall Democrats & Matthew Shepard Foundation $20

Monday, August 25
12:00-2:00pm LGBT Caucus Meeting Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St Denver, CO 80202

2:00-4:00pm Stonewall Democrats Tea Party The Pinnacle Club by the Grand Hyatt Stonewall Democrats $25/Free for Delegates

4:00pm-6:00pm Celebrating Diversity Reception Westin Tabor Center 1672 Lawrence Street Denver, CO 80202 HRC & NBJC

Convention Prime Time Theme – One Nation
Headline prime-time speaker: Michelle Obama
Featured speakers: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senator Claire McCaskill, Maya Soetoro-Ng and Craig Robinson
Tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy
Mayor John Hickenlooper and a video segment introducing delegates and other Convention attendees to the natural beauty and strong voices of leadership in the Mountain West

Tuesday, August 26
12:00pm-2:00pm Lunch for LGBT Delegates Rep. Baldwin, Rep. Frank, the Victory Fund, and Human Rights Campaign Sheraton Hotel, 1550 Court Place, Denver, CO 80202

7:30pm Human Rights Campaign Rock to Win concert with Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper, Rufus Wainwright and Margaret Cho, Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson St Denver, CO 80218

Convention Prime Time Theme – Renewing America’s Promise
Headline prime-time speaker: Senator Hillary Clinton
Keynote Address: Mark Warner, former Governor of Virginia
Featured speakers: Governors Napolitano, Patrick, Rendell, Schweitzer, Sebelius and Strickland; Senator Bob Casey, Jr. and Federico Peña

Wednesday, August 27
9:00am-10:00 am Big Tent panel discussion on LGBT Issues in 2008: What a Difference Four Years Makes. Human Rights Campaign will be hosting a 50-minute, panel session on LGBT issues in the 2008 election at The Big Tent on Wednesday, August 27 at 9 AM (MT). Panelists include: Celinda Lake, Arizona Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (Del.) and Jonathan Capehart.

12:00pm-2:00pm LGBT Caucus Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St Denver, CO 80202

Convention Prime Time Theme – Securing America’s Future
Headline prime-time speaker: Barack Obama’s Vice Presidential Nominee.
Featured speakers: Former President Bill Clinton; Governor Bill Richardson; Senators Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, Jay Rockefeller and Ken Salazar; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid; House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn; Representative Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and Iraq War veteran Tammy Duckworth.

Thursday, August 28

Convention Prime Time Theme – Change You Can Believe In
Barack Obama’s acceptance speech: On Thursday night, the DNCC will throw open the doors of the Convention and move to INVESCO Field at Mile High so that more Americans can be a part of the fourth night of the Convention as Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination.