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Barack Obama is reveling in his newfound status as likely Democratic nominee but cautioning that he has work to do against Republican John McCain.

He opened an event in southwestern Virginia saying: "I'm here to report that my faith has paid off and I stand before you as the Democratic nominee for the president of the United States."

He added: "I'm proud of America for giving me this opportunity, but we've still got work to do."

He was speaking two days after clinching the Democratic nomination, and a day after his fallen rival Hillary Rodham Clinton signaled she would endorse him.