US faces 'moment of reckoning': Hillary Clinton

Warning that the US is facing a "moment of reckoning", Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton today asked Americans to unite against the divisive policies of her Republican rival Donald Trump as she promised to build a country where everyone has a job and millions of undocumented workers get a path to citizenship.

"America is once again at a moment of reckoning. Powerful forces are threatening to pull us apart. Bonds of trust and respect are fraying. And just as with our founders there are no guarantees. It's truly is up to us. We have to decide whether we're going to work together so we can all rise together," Clinton, 68, told fellow Americans while accepting the Democratic Party's White House nomination to run for president in the November general elections.

If elected, Clinton would become the first women president of the US.

Clinton said she would build an economy that gives jobs to every one and not a few and a country where "love trumps hate".               

That is the country she is fighting for, she said.

"It is with humility, determination and boundless confidence in America’s promise that I accept your nomination for president," Clinton said as thousands of party delegates, leaders and supporters at the Wells Fargo Center erupted in cheers and applause.

"I want to tell you tonight how we're going to empower all Americans to live better lives. My primary mission as President will be to create more opportunity and more good jobs with rising wages right here in the United States," Clinton said.

"We are clear-eyed about what our country is up against. But we are not afraid. We will rise to the challenge, just as we always have," she said.

Clinton said her Republican rival Trump has taken the Republican party a long way from morning in America to mid- night in America.

"We will not build a wall—instead, we will build an economy where everyone who wants a good job can get one... And we'll build a path to citizenship for millions of immigrants who are already contributing to our economy," she said.

"He wants to divide us from the rest of the world and from each other. He's betting that the perils of today's world will blind us to its unlimited promise. He's taken the Republican Party a long way, from morning in America to midnight in America," she said.

"He wants us to fear the future and fear each other," she said.

"We will not ban a religion. We will work with all Americans and our allies to fight and defeat terrorism," she said.

Clinton promised a comprehensive immigration reform arguing that this will grow the economy and keep families together. 

"It is the right thing to do," Clinton said.

"When we have millions of hardworking immigrants contributing to our economy, it would be self-defeating and inhumane to kick them out," she stressed, adding that keeping the nation safe and honouring the people who do that work will be her highest priority.

"Donald Trump says he wants to make America great again— well, he could start by actually making things in America again," she asked.

"Please explain to me what part of 'America First' leads him to make Trump ties in China, not Colorado... Trump suits in Mexico, not Michigan," Clinton said adding that Trump's picture frames are made in India.

Clinton alleged that Trump wants to divide Americans.

"We heard Donald Trump's answer last week at his convention. He wants to divide us...He wants us to fear the future and fear each other," she said.

"I will be a president for Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. For the struggling, the striving and the successful...For all Americans," Clinton said.

"Americans don't say, 'I alone can fix it. They say, 'We'll fix it together'," she said adding that she will take all the voices and stories of Americans to the White House.

"Don't let anyone tell you that our country is weak— we're not. Don't let anyone tell you we don’t have what it takes—we do," she said.

In her speech, she acknowledged the contribution of her primary rival Senator Bernie Sanders.

"I want to thank Bernie Sanders. Bernie inspired millions of Americans particularly the young people...Your cause is our cause. Our country needs your ideas, energy and passion That is the only way we can use our progressive platform for real change for America. We voted together, now let us make it happen together," she said amidst applause from the audience.