With thousands of supporters, including her husband, cheering in a packed sports arena, Mrs Hillary Rodham Clinton was nominated for the Senate at the Democratic Party convention in her adopted state of New York. The nomination by the 352 delegates of the only US first lady to run for public office was unanimous.
"Make no mistake, this election is not about me or my Republican opponent," Mrs Clinton said in a 38-minute address that ended with the triumphant theme from the film Chariots of Fire. "It's about the people of New York and our common mission."
The mission was to improve the lives of New York's families and children, she said. "We are producing countless new fortunes, yet we have the second-highest rate of poverty in the country and the biggest gap between the rich and the poor," she told delegates.
Still uncertain was whether Mrs Clinton would face the Republican party's Mr Rudolph Giuliani, the New York City mayor. Three weeks ago, the mayor announced he had prostate cancer and said he was uncertain if he could continue in the race. He subsequently confirmed he was seeing "a very good friend", Ms Judith Nathan, and then announced that he was seeking a legal separation from his wife, the TV personality and actress Donna Hanover.
The Republican state convention in Buffalo is on May 30th.
Shaking hands with supporters, signing autographs and posing for photographs with admirers at the arena in Albany before the convention began, Mrs Clinton predicted she would be "victorious in November".
In a last-minute addition to the festivities, President Bill Clinton changed his schedule last night in order to join the crowd of about 10,000 people at the convention. "I just decided I ought to be there," he said before leaving Washington. "It's a big deal for her, a big night for her and I want to be there with her. I just want to be there to support her."
The president did not address the convention, but at a reception afterwards hosted by senior New York Democrats, he told supporters he was "profoundly grateful for the way you have embraced her . . . She will not disappoint you".
The first lady lavished praise on her husband during her convention speech, a tribute that had the thousands in the arena on their feet and cheering. He mouthed a silent "thank you" to his wife as he bowed his head.