Key Excerpts from Clinton's Concession Speech

On backing Obama: "The way to continue our fight now to accomplish the goals for which we stand is to take our energy, our passion, our strength and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama the next President of the United States....And I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for Barack Obama as you have for me."

On working for Obama: "Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward. Life is too short, time is too precious and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been. We have to work together for what still can be. That is why I will work my heart out to make sure that Senator Obama is our next president and I hope and pray that all of you will join me in that effort."

On uniting the party: "I think we all know that this has been a tough fight but the Democratic Party is a family and now it's time to restore the ties that bind us together and to come together around the ideals we share, the values we cherish, the country we love. We may have started on separate journeys but today our paths merge."

...

"We cannot let this moment slip away. We have come too far and have accomplished too much... Today I am standing with Senator Obama to say 'Yes we can' and that together we will work. we'll have to work hard..."

On health care: "It is a passion and a cause and it is a fight I will continue until every American is insured. No exceptions and no excuses."

On never giving up: "To those who are disappointed that we couldn't go all the way...it would break my heart if in falling short of my goal I in any way discouraged any of you in pursuing yours. Always aim high, work hard and care deeply about what you believe in. And when you stumble, keep faith. And when you're knocked down get right back up and never listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on."

On a woman president: "We will someday launch a woman into the White House. Although we weren't able to shatter that highest hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you it's got about 18 million cracks in it and the light is shining through like never before filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time."

On her moving forward: "So today I'm going to count my blessings and keep on going. I'm going to keep doing what I was doing long before the cameras ever showed up and what I'll be doing long after they're gone. Working to give every American the same opportunities I had...with nothing but optimism and confidence for the days ahead."

After thanking her supporters: "I've had every opportunity and blessing in my own life and I want the same for all Americans and until that day comes you'll always find me on the front lines of democracy fighting for the future."

Jokes that "this isn't exactly the party I'd planned, but I sure love the company."