Michelle Obama Stresses Barack's Working Class Credentials in Speech; INTERNATIONAL

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Democrat Barack Obama offers "new hope" for America and would make an "extraordinary president", his wife and party leaders said yesterday.

Michelle Obama used stories from her life to emphasise her husband's American values and that he understood what the United States needs - despite his exotic name.

US Senator Edward Kennedy, the sole surviving son of America's most celebrated political dynasty, said the 47-year-old Illinois senator offered "new hope" and America would "scale the heights" under Obama's leadership.

Liberal heavyweight Mr Kennedy, diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in May, said "nothing, nothing" was going to keep him from the …