<i>The Independent</i> Focus Group

Mary Beth Ray, 48 Republican, Washington DC Lawyer and housewife

"Hillary rallied the troops, threw her support to Obama, gave a nod to Bill, Michelle and Joe, and threw a few punches at McCain. However, her fiery orange pantsuit spoke volumes. It's still all about her– her healthcare policies, her supporters, and maybe even her comeback in 2012."

Laura DeBusk, 37, Democrat, Virginia Housewife

"While I have never been a Hillary fan, I thought she did a terrific job last night. She struck the right tone to help bring her voting block along. Personally, as an Obama supporter, I appreciated her performance and thought it hit all of the right notes."

Joseph McManus, 62, Republican, Washington DC Lawyer

"Words, words, words. Yes, she is a forceful speaker, and some say the Dems should have nominated her. I disagree, she has zero credibility with half the electorate. Does anyone believe her endorsement of Obama is motivated by anything other than preserving her viability as presidential material next time?"

Renee Van Vechten 39 Democrat, California Professor of political science

"Hillary's rousing speech had a lot of people wondering why she wasn't the nominee but rather than further dividing the party, she did what she set out to do: remind voters that the presidential campaign from this point on is about taking back the White House – not simply supporting a personal favourite."

For rolling comment on the US election visit: independent.co.uk/campaign08