Obama and Bill Clinton end chill

Mr Clinton was an outspoken critic of Mr Obama during the primary season

White House hopeful Barack Obama and Bill Clinton have had their first talks since Hillary Clinton pulled out of the race to be the US Democratic candidate.

An Obama spokesman said the two had had a "terrific" conversation during a 20-minute telephone call.

A spokesman for the ex-president, who strongly criticised his wife's rival during the primaries, said he was keen to campaign for Mr Obama.

Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama held a joint rally on Friday.

Mr Clinton was in Europe and so missed the symbolic rally in the town of Unity, New Hampshire, the first since the fierce primary contest ended.

He had earlier that week issued a short statement endorsing Mr Obama's campaign.

During the primary battle he was often his wife's most fervent campaigner and one of the most outspoken Democratic critics of Mr Obama.

Mr Obama will face Republican John McCain in November's US presidential election.

Patriotism

Obama spokesman Bill Burton said the senator for Illinois had telephoned Mr Clinton on Monday morning and was honoured to have his support.

Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama sought to heal party divisions at a joint rally

"He has always believed that Bill Clinton is one of this nation's great leaders and most brilliant minds and looks forward to seeing him on the campaign trail and receiving his counsel," Mr Burton said.

Clinton spokesman Matt McKenna said: "President Clinton continues to be impressed by Senator Obama and the campaign he has run, and looks forward to campaigning for and with him in the months to come."

Later, Mr Obama used a speech in Missouri to stress his patriotism and love of his country.

His patriotism has been questioned by critics who point to his failure to always wear a US flag pin on his lapel.

Mr Obama also rejected a suggestion by one of his supporters, retired Gen Wesley Clark, that Mr McCain - who spent five years as a Vietnamese prisoner of war - had overstated the importance of his military service while campaigning.

Mr Obama said "no-one should ever devalue that service, especially for the sake of a political campaign".