DNC: Clinton defends wife's State Dept. tenure

Philadelphia — Former President Bill Clinton offered a spirited defense of Hillary Clinton’s tenure as secretary of state.

He told Democratic convention delegates in Philadelphia that his wife was instrumental in protecting American interests, combating terrorism and advancing human rights.

Contrast that with the Republicans’ view — they paint “the Obama-Clinton foreign policy” as a failure.

Among other things, Bill Clinton says his wife put “climate change at the center of our foreign policy” and “backed President Barack Obama’s decision to go after Osama bin Laden.”

Clinton notes she accepted the nation’s top diplomatic post only after losing a bitter Democratic primary contest to Obama in 2008.

He says she “loved being a senator from New York,” but ultimately accepted the president-elect’s request that she join his Cabinet.

He says that experience is part of what makes his wife so prepared to be the 45th president.

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Slams GOP 'cartoon' version of wife

He ended his speech by pushing back against what he calls the Republicans’ “cartoon” version of his wife.

The former president told the crowd in Philadelphia about her role as a mother, a child advocate, an elected official and secretary of state.

He said “life in the real world is complicated and real change is hard.” But he calls her the best “change-maker” he’s ever known, and urges them to vote for her for the sake of their children and grandchildren.

Satellite video speech closes night

Hillary Clinton capped the evening's speeches by telling Democrats they’ve “just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling” by nominating her for president.

Speaking to the convention by satellite video, she offered this message to any little girls who might have stayed up to see the historic moment Tuesday night: “I may become the first woman president, but one of you is next.”

Earlier in the evening, Clinton became the first woman in the U.S. to be nominated for president by a major political party.

Sent him to look 'coal miners in the eye'

In his speech Bill Clinton said his wife never quits, and recalls some of his primary campaigning this spring as proof.

He says his wife sent him to West Virginia “to look those coal miners in the eye” even though “we knew we were going to lose” the state to Democratic rival Bernie Sanders.

Hillary Clinton has been criticized for saying in an interview that coal miners and companies would be put out of work.

She later said she meant only that a changing energy market place was shrinking demand. But some coal miners took the comments personally.

Bill Clinton says he and his wife campaigned in coal country anyway. He says she wants to prove she’ll work for a new economy that benefits all Americans, including coal miners who will never vote for her.

Best 'change-maker' I've ever met

The “best darn change-maker I’ve met in my entire life.”

He cited her work as first lady in winning congressional approval for a children’s health insurance program and a bill that made it easy for parents to adopt children.

The 42nd president told the crowd that she worked with Republican House leader and fierce Clinton critic Tom Delay on the adoption bill.

Bill Clinton says she did it because “she’s a change-maker. That’s what she does.”

Among those in the crowd were Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Chelsea Clinton — seated with the North Dakota delegation.

When Bill met Hillary

He opened his address to the Democratic National Committee with a simple story: “I met a girl.”

The former president described how he met Hillary Clinton as a law student at Yale University in 1971.

Hillary Clinton — who’s now the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee — walked up to him and told him that if he was going to stare at her, she ought to know her name.

Clinton says he finally asked her to walk to an art museum.

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

Ex-secretary of state cites Trump 'damage'

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is trying to undercut Donald Trump’s argument that he can lead the United States around the globe.

Albright told delegates that the GOP’s White House nominee has “already done damage just by running for president.”

Albright said Trump has a “strange admiration for dictators” and says a Trump victory in November “would be a gift” to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speakers praise Clinton for 9/11 help

Several speakers at the Democratic National Convention apaid tribute to Hillary Clinton for her work — while she was a New York senator — in helping New Yorkers after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The testimonials came from a New York City police detective, a New York congressman and a woman who spent more than six months in the hospital after recovering from severe burns in the attack.

Lauren Manning told delegates that Clinton “had my back. This is the Hillary Clinton I want you to know.”

Clinton worked on kids’ issues before law firm

“Hunger Games” actress Elizabeth Banks and other speakers at the Democratic convention noted that Clinton devoted her early law career to children’s causes.

It’s true that Clinton did work for the Children’s Defense Fund. But she also worked at the prestigious Rose Law Firm in Little Rock, Arkansas. It’s the third oldest firm in the United States.

Clinton became the firm’s first female partner when her husband, Bill, was Arkansas attorney general and then governor.

Among the firm’s clients were Tyson Foods, Wal-Mart and several brokerage houses.

The firm became well known during the Whitewater scandal, when investigators probed real estate deals between the Clintons and a Rose client, Jim McDougal.

Trayvon Martin mom says Clinton can aid cause

Trayvon Martin’s mother told Democrats that she supports the presidential nominee because she “is a mother who can assure our movement will succeed.”

Sybrina Fulton spoke along with a group of women who had lost their children to gun violence or after contact with police.

They call themselves the Mothers of the Movement.

Trayvon Martin was fatally shot in Florida by a neighborhood watch volunteer in 2012 at the age of 17. The gunman was later acquitted of second-degree murder.

Martin’s mother said that Clinton “has the compassion and understanding to support grieving mothers. She has the courage to lead the fight for common sense gun legislation.”

Geneva Reed-Veal is the mother of Sandra Bland, who was found hanged in a Texas jail cell last year after her arrest during a traffic stop.

Reed-Veal says, “I am here with Hillary Clinton tonight because she is a leader and a mother who will say our children’s names.”

Obama says experts cite Russians in DNC hack

President Barack Obama says experts have attributed the Democratic National Committee hack to the Russians, and he says the FBI continues to investigate.

Obama says this incident aside, the Russians “hack our systems.” He says they hack both government systems and private systems.

Obama told NBC News that he can’t say what the motives were in leaking thousands of DNC emails. But he says Republican Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He says Trump has been covered favorably by the Russian media.

Asked whether Russia could have leaked the emails to help Trump, Obama says, “Anything’s possible.”

Jimmy Carter says Clinton has his support

Former President Jimmy Carter said Hillary Clinton has his support — and told convention delegates “I know she will also have yours.”

Carter’s message cane in a video address to delegates.

The former president said these are “perilous times” and the nation needs someone with a “strong heart,” a deep understanding of issues and a “steady hand.”

Carter also thanked Bernie Sanders for energizing young people and bringing them into the political process.

Sanders manager, Clinton aides exchanges hugs

Bernie Sanders’ campaign manager watched the final votes alongside Hillary Clinton’s team.

When Clinton hit the magic number clinching the nomination, Jeff Weaver joined Clinton’s staff in their box.

He gave big hugs to top Clinton aides Huma Abedin and Jen Palmieri, and sat with the team as the remaining states cast their votes. That’s according to a campaign worker.

Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook cheered and embraced other top staff as the final tally was announced.