Excerpts of Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech Tuesday in Charleston, W. Va., after winning the state's Democratic primary, as provided by CQ Transcriptions:

You know, like the song says, it's almost heaven. And I am so grateful for this overwhelming vote of confidence.

Now, there are some who have wanted to cut this race short. They say, "Give up. It's too hard. The mountain is too high." But here in West Virginia, you know a thing or two about rough roads to the top of the mountain.

We know from the Bible that faith can move mountains. And, my friends, the faith of the Mountain State has moved me. I am more determined than ever to carry on this campaign until everyone has had a chance to make their voices heard.

I want to commend Senator Obama and his supporters. This continues to be a hard-fought race from one end of our country to the other. And, yes, we've had a few dustups along the way, but our commitment to bring America new leadership that will renew America's promise means that we have always stood together on what is most important.

Now, tonight, tonight, I need your help to continue this journey.

An enormous decision falls on the shoulders of Democratic voters in these final contests and those Democrats empowered to vote at our convention. And, tonight, in light of our overwhelming victory here in West Virginia, I want to send a message to everyone still making up their mind.

I am in this race because I believe I am the strongest candidate, the strongest candidate to lead our party in November of 2008 and the strongest president to lead our nation starting in January of 2009.

I can win this nomination, if you decide I should. And I can lead this party to victory in the general election, if you lead me to victory now. The choice falls to all of you, and I don't envy you.

I deeply admire Senator Obama, but I believe our case -- a case West Virginia has helped to make. Our case is stronger together, we have won millions and millions of votes. By the time tonight is over, probably 17 million, close to it.

We've won them in states that we must be prepared and ready to win in November: Pennsylvania and Ohio, Arkansas and New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Michigan, Florida, and now West Virginia.

It is a fact that no Democrat has won the White House since 1916 without winning West Virginia.

The bottom line is this: The White House is won in the swing states, and I am winning the swing states.

And we have done it by standing up for the deepest principles of our party, with a vision for an America that rewards hard work again, that values the middle class and helps to make it stronger.

With your help, I am ready to go head-to-head with John McCain to put our vision for America up against the one he shares with President Bush.

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This election is fundamentally about whether or not the American dream remains alive and well for our children and our grandchildren. This is the core of my life and my political beliefs -- that we owe so much to future generations, that we do not want to see that dream recede, that we know people have to work hard, and we expect you to do just that, and to take responsibility.

But at the very least, you should have a president who's on your side again.

And I believe that this campaign has been good for the Democratic Party and good for our country. People are discussing and debating issues. They are turning out in record numbers to register and to vote. There is an excitement about politics that is the lifeblood of our democracy.

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We all want a better world for our children, and we want the best for our country. And we are committed to putting a Democrat back in the White House.

And our nominee will be stronger for having campaigned long and hard, building enthusiasm and excitement, hearing your stories, and answering your questions. And I will work my heart out for the nominee of the Democratic Party to make sure we have a Democratic president.

So as we look at the stakes in this election, I think we can all agree it's been unprecedented. We haven't had an election like it for as long as anyone can remember.

It is still so close, and it really does depend upon those who will vote in these next contests and those who have the awesome responsibility as delegates of our great Democratic Party.

I'm asking that people think hard about where we are in this election, about how we will win in November, because this is not an abstract exercise. This is for a solemn, crucial purpose: to elect a president to turn our country around, to meet the challenges we face and seize the opportunities.

It has been a long campaign. But it is just an instant in time when compared with the lasting consequences of the choice we will make in November.