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s his successor. He described his vice president as a "profoundly good man" who will maintain the nation's prosperity. Clinton praised his policy and said that America is better off today than it was before he became U-S President. The speech ended with an intonation of the theme song of Clinton's presidential campaign eight years ago 'Don't stop thinking about tomorrow' by Fleetwood Mac. Delegates cheered Clinton even before he stepped to the podium, watching on giant video screens as he strolled through an underground corridor. When he finally made it to the stage the noise grew even louder. Speaking to the convention that twice nominated him for the presidency, Clinton said the nation is "more decent, more humane, more united" than eight years ago. He said Gore was "always there" when the tough decisions were being made in the White House and that he would succeed "by paying down the debt, investing in education and health care and in family tax cuts we can afford." First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton preceded her husband to the podium, cheered loudly herself to the booming strains of the song "New York," her new home and site of her Senate candidacy. Meanwhile, Gore campaigned in Missouri. The Democrats' four-day convention is designed not only to promote Gore and running mate Joseph Lieberman, but also to stir memories of John F. Kennedy's nomination in this city 40 years ago. Clinton basked in applause after he finished his 37-minute speech before 4,338 delegates in the Staples Center arena. The pre-convention polls were muddled. One suggested Bush's lead had shrunk to three percentage points, but others made it a double-digit lead. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Forty years ago the great city of Los Angeles launched John Kennedy and the New Frontier. Now Los Angeles is launching the first president of the new century: Al Gore." SUPER CAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton SOUNDBITE: (English) "Let's remember the standard our Republican friends used to have for whether a party should continue in office. My fellow Americans, are we better off today than we were 8 years ago? You bet we are." SUPER CAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton SOUNDBITE: (English) "You remember our Republican friends said then, they would absolutely not be held responsible for our economic policies. I hope the American people take them at their word." SUPER CAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton SOUNDBITE: (English) "Whether it was in how we reform welfare, or in protecting the environment, or in closing the digital divide, or bringing jobs to rural and urban American through the Empowerment Zone program; the greatest champion of ordinary Americans has always been Al Gore." SUPER CAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton SOUNDBITE: (English) "You must think hard, feel deeply, and choose wisely. And remember, whenever you think about me, keep putting people first. Keep building those bridges and don't stop thinking about tomorrow. I love you and good night." SUPER CAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/001e12c3601b690a549ba686427598af