Barack Obama spoke in support of Democratic Presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton. (AFP)
Philadelphia:
US President Barack Obama spearheaded a Democratic effort at the Democratic National Convention at Philadelphia in support of Hillary Clinton on Wednesday.
Here are the highlights of his address:- 12 years ago tonight I addressed this convention for the first time.
- You met my 2 little girls... now 2 young women. You fell for my brilliant wife and partner Michelle... who made me a better father and better man... who inspired the nation... and surprisingly hasn't aged a day. The same can't be said for me.
- I was so young that first time in Boston...maybe a little nervous addressing such a big crowd, but I was filled with faith.
- I stand before you again tonight, after almost two terms as your president, to tell you I am even more optimistic about the future.
- We brought more of our troops home to their families, and we delivered justice to Osama bin Laden.
- America learned that love has no limits, and marriage equality is now a reality across the land.
- By so many measures, our country is stronger and more prosperous than it was when we started.
- We still have more work to do. More work to do for every American still in need of a good job or a raise.
- We're not done perfecting our union or living up to our founding creed-that all of us are created equal.
- This is not your typical election...this is a more fundamental choice about...whether we stay true to this great American experiment.
- America has learnt that love has no limits and marriage equality is there across this land.
- In so many ways out country is more prosperous in the last 8 years.
- Yes, we need to do a lot more... we need to do more for all those who haven't felt the progress yet.
- What we heard was a deeply pessimistic vision of a country where we turn against each other.
- The America I know is full of courage, and optimism, and ingenuity. The America I know is decent and generous.
- As I've traveled this country...what I've also seen, more than anything, is what is right with America.
- A big choice needs to be made in November... this is not a usual election... a lot is at stake.
- What I see is Americans of every party, every background, every faith who believe that we are stronger together.
- A leader with real plans to break down barriers, the next president of the United States Hillary Clinton.
- Hillary Clinton still has the tenacity she did as a young lady when she was fighting for child rights.
- She was doing everything I was, but just like Ginger Rogers, it was backwards in heels.
- We still have more work to do. More work to do for every American still in need of a good job or a raise.
- Nothing truly prepares you for the demands of the Oval Office.
- Until you've sat at that desk, you don't know what it's like to manage a global crisis or send young people to war.
- But Hillary's been in the room; she's been part of those decisions.
- She sat with me in the Situation Room and forcefully argued in favor of the mission that took out Osama bin Laden.
- No matter how daunting the odds. No matter how much people try to knock her down. She never, ever quits.
- There has never been a man or a woman more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as president of the United States of America.
- Tim Kaine is as good a man, as humble and committed a public servant, as anyone I know. He will be a great vice president.
- Then there's Donald Trump. He's not really a plans guy, not really a facts guy either.
- Don't boo, vote!
- Hillary Clinton is respected around the world, not just by leaders, but by the people they serve.
- I know Hillary won't relent until ISIL is destroyed.
- She is fit and she is ready to be the next Commander-in-Chief.
- Meanwhile, Donald Trump calls our military a disaster...he suggests America is weak.
- Does anyone really believe that a guy who's spent his 70 years on this earth showing no regard for working people is suddenly going to be your champion?
- America is already great. America is already strong and I promise you, our strength, our greatness, does not depend on Donald Trump.
- Ronald Reagan called America 'a shining city on a hill.' Donald Trump calls it 'a divided crime scene' that only he can fix.
- That's who we are. That's our birthright. The capacity to shape our own destiny.
- America has never been about what one person says he'll do for us. It's always been about what can be achieved by us, together.
- She knows that for progress to happen, we have to listen to each other, and see ourselves in each other.
- The American Dream is something no wall will ever contain.
- Democracy works, America, but we gotta want it-not just during an election year, but all the days in between.
- We all need to get out and vote for Democrats up and down the ticket, and then hold them accountable until they get the job done.
- When we change enough minds, when we deliver enough votes, then progress does happen.
- Hillary Clinton is that woman in the arena. She's been there for us, even if we haven't always noticed.
- She's been there for us, even if we haven't always noticed.
- Democracy isn't a spectator sport. America isn't about 'yes he will.' It's about 'yes we can.
- We don't fear the future; we shape it, we embrace it, as one people, stronger together than we are on our own.
- We're going to carry Hillary to victory, because that's what the moment demands.
- I have confidence... that the Democratic Party is in good hands.
- Tonight, I ask you to do for Hillary Clinton what you did for me. I ask you to carry her the same way you carried me.
- You're who I was talking about twelve years ago, when I talked about hope.
- America, you have vindicated that hope these past eight years. And now I'm ready to pass the baton.
- I'm asking you to join me, to reject cynicism...to summon what's best in us; to elect Hillary Clinton as the next president.
- Hope in the face of difficulty; hope in the face of uncertainty; the audacity of hope!
- Thank you for this incredible journey. Let's keep it going. God bless the United States of America!