Bill Clinton: "Obama Ready to be President

In the text of Bill Clinton's speech just distributed, he uses the words Democrats and America weren't sure he would deliver.

"Barack Obama is ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world. Ready to preserve, to protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. Barack Obama is ready to be President of the United States."

More excerpts after the jump.

On Hillary:

"In the end, my candidate didn't win. But I'm very proud of the campaign she ran: she never quit on the people she stood up for, on the changes she pushed for, on the future she wants for all our children. And I'm grateful for the chance Chelsea and I had to tell Americans about the person we know and love.

On Obama:

"He has a remarkable ability to inspire people, to raise our hopes and rally us to high purpose. He has the intelligence and curiosity every successful President needs...He has shown a clear grasp of our foreign policy and national security challenges, and a firm committment to repair our badly strained military."

On Biden:

"In his first presidential decision, the selection of a running mate, [Obama] hit it out of the park. With Joe Biden's experience and wisdom, supporting Barack Obama's proven understanding, insight, and good instincts, America will have the national security leadership we need."

On America's place in the world:

"Barack Obama also will not allow the world's problems to obscure its opportunities. Everywhere, in rich and poor counties alike, hardworking people need good jobs; secure, affordable healthcare, food, and energy; quality education for their children; and economically beneficial ways to fight global warming. These challenges cry out for American ideas and innovation. When Barack Obama unleashes them, America will save lives, win new allies, open new markets, and create new jobs for our people."

On McCain (despite not using his name once):

"The Republicans will nominate a good man who served our country heroically and suffered terribly in Vietnam. He loves our country every bit as much as we all do. As a Senator, he has shown his independence on several issues. But on the two great questions of this election, how to rebuild the American Dream and how to restore America's leadership in the world, he still embraces the extreme philosophy which has defined his party for more than 25 years."

On the Bush years:

"They took us from record surpluses to an exploding national debt; from over 22 million new jobs down to 5 million; from an increase in working family incomes of $7,500 to a decline of more than $2000; from almost 8 million Americans moving out of poverty to more than 5 and a half million falling into poverty - and millions more losing their health insurance."