US President Barack Obama today celebrated his legacy at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), and urged the country not to give-in to the pessimism of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
“This is not your typical election...It's not just a choice between parties or policies; the usual debates between left and right. This is a more fundamental choice -- about who we are as a people, and whether we stay true to this great American experiment in self-government,” Obama said.
Urging Americans to elect Hillary Clinton to the White House, Obama said that he is "more optimistic about the future of America than ever before."
"There's never been a man or a woman — "not me, not Bill" — who's more qualified than Hillary Clinton to be President," he said.
Criticising Trump for running a negative campaign that suggested the country is in dire straights, he said, "He's just offering slogans, and he's offering fear. He's betting that if he scares enough people, he might score just enough votes to win this election. 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? Your voice?...If so, you should vote for him."
"America is already great. America is already strong," he declared to cheering delegates at the DNC.
“And I promise you, our (America) strength, our greatness, does not depend on Donald Trump," he added.
The President, who once ran a bitter campaign against Clinton, said she kept him on his toes during the 2008 Democratic primary.
“Clinton has been in that room and has been part of the decisions that a president makes. Clinton is someone who listens to people, keeps her cool and treats everybody with respect. That's the Hillary I've come to admire," the US President said.
“Clinton is respected around the world not just by leaders, but by the people they serve,” he said, adding that “she has worked closely with our intelligence teams, our diplomats, our military."
The US President said that Clinton won't relent until the Islamic State group is destroyed.
In a reference to GOP nominee Trump, Obama said that Clinton will "finish the job - and she'll do it without resorting to torture, or banning entire religions from entering our country."
The President also praised former presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders for his efforts to end the role of money in politics and to promote a progressive agenda.
During his speech, Obama also recalled the moment in 2004 that catapulted him to national prominence, kick-starting his path to the White House and he insisted the country was better off now than when he first entered office in 2009
"Through every victory and every setback, I've insisted that change is never easy, and never quick; that we wouldn't meet all of our challenges in one term, or one presidency, or even in one lifetime...So tonight, I'm here to tell you that, yes, we still have more work to do," he said.
He also mentioned his accomplishments over his two terms as President including Osama bin Laden's killing, legalisation of gay marriage, an improved economy and diplomatic deals with Iran and Cuba.
The convention's third night was also a time for Democrats to celebrate Obama's two terms in office.
This is Obama’s final Democratic National Convention as President. Hillary Clinton will address the convention tomorrow.
