President Obama delivers DNC day 3 keynote, Hillary Clinton makes apperance
PHILADELPHIA (WLS) -- President Obama delivered a rousing speech that brought the house down on the third day of the Democratic National Convention, the day after Hillary Clinton cracked the glass ceiling as she became the first woman to be nominated by a major party for president of the United States.
Headlining the third night President Obama defended his eight years in office before delivering a rousing endorsement of Clinton.
"I can say with confidence there has never been a man or a woman - not me, not Bill, nobody - more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as president of the United States," Obama said.
When the applause died down he turned to his predecessor, watching from his box at the Wells Fargo Arena, with a smile.
"Sorry Bill, but it's true," he joked.
He also laid into Republican nominee Donald Trump, saying he's "just offering slogans, and he's offering fear." But when those in the hall booed their opponent, he stopped them.
"Don't boo," he told them. "Vote."
Obama ended his speech returning to the theme that catapulted him into the national spotlight 12 years ago: hope.
"It's been you who've fueled my dogged faith in our future, even when the odds are great, even when the road is long. Hope in the face of difficulty, hope in the face of uncertainty, the audacity of hope. America, you have vindicated that hope these past eight years. And now I'm ready to pass the baton and do my part as a private citizen. I'm asking you to join me - to reject cynicism, reject fear, to summon what's best in us; to elect Hillary Clinton as the next president of the United States," Obama said.
WATCH: President Obama's full remarks
Hillary Clinton came out after the president's speech in a surprise appearance, embracing the president and waving at the crowd.
The other party stars on stage also took time to roast Trump. Vice President Joe Biden forcefully dismissed the idea that Trump cares about average people or the middle class, noting the negativity of Trump's catchphrase: You're fired.
"How can there be pleasure in saying 'you're fired'? He cares about the middle class? Give me a break. That's a bunch of malarkey!" Biden said.
But Biden also took time to praise Clinton, who he has known for three decades, and to note the importance of her nomination.
"We all understand what it means for our daughters and granddaughters when Hillary Clinton walks into the Oval Office," he said.
WATCH: Vice President Joe Biden's full DNC speech
Clinton's running mate, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, was formally nominated for vice president Wednesday afternoon by acclamation. In his speech he formally accepted the nomination and then proceeded to draw a sharp contrast between Clinton and Trump, listing her accomplishments and mocking Trump.
"It's gonna be great- believe me! We're gonna build a wall and make Mexico pay for it- believe me! We're gonna destroy ISIS so fast- believe me! You cannot believe one word that comes out of Donald Trump's mouth," Kaine said.
Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, who considered a third party candidacy and is endorsing Hillary Clinton, laid into Trump during his speech as well.
"I'm a New Yorker, and I know a con when I see one," Bloomberg said. "The richest thing about Donald Trump is his hypocrisy."
WATCH: Michael Bloomberg throws zingers at Trump, says 'I know a con when I see one'
Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who survived a 2011 assassination attempt in Tuscon in which she was shot in the head, was also a featured speaker.
WATCH: Gabby Giffords' powerful entrance to DNC follows with strong message
WATCH: Orlando victim's mother speaks at DNC: 'Love always trumps hate'
Biden was asked by George Stephanopoulos on GMA Wednesday morning why the Democratic speakers here haven't mentioned ISIS by name, while Donald Trump claims he will defeat them.
"We have the single most significant homeland security of any country in the world. And what are they doing, Pence and Trump? What they're doing is they're breaking up our alliances. These guys don't know what they're talking about," Biden said.
Earlier in the day Bernie Sanders stopped by the Rhode Island delegation and spoke about the role his campaign can play now that the nomination is decided.
"Our campaign is now transitioning from a campaign trying to elect a president to a campaign that is really trying to develop a grassroots movement and get young people to start running for office," he said.
UP-AND-COMING ILLINOIS CANDIDATE SPOTLIGHTED AT CONVENTION
Because the president is set to speak Wednesday night, most of the convention delegates arrived early anticipating extra security. That meant they were in place for most of the day's preliminary programming and so were able to hear from a candidate for the U.S. House from Chicago's northwest suburbs, Raja Krishnamoorthi.
"I'm actually a pretty regular guy. My wife and I and three kids live in Schaumburg," Krishnamoorthi said.
Wednesday is the biggest night of Krishnamoorthi's political life. After spending much of his childhood on public assistance with his Indiana immigrant parents, he went on to graduate from Princeton University and then Harvard law School. For the past several years he's been president of a solar energy conference.
"And now I'm in a position to go to Congress," he said.
Krishnamoorthi is running for the 8th District northwest suburban seat currently held by Tammy Duckworth, who is now running statewide for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Mark Kirk. Duckworth and Kirk are both veterans and both disabled; Duckworth lost both her legs in the Iraq War, while Kirk suffered a disabling stroke four years ago.
"I'm going to treat Mark Kirk as if he is not disabled because the best way to do this is to run straight out as hard as you can," Duckworth said.
On the convention stage, Krishnamoorthi was featured as an up-and-coming Asian-American Democratic candidate, one with a compelling story that spans generations and continents.
"America owes me nothing, man. And I owe everything I have to this great country," Kirshnamoorthi said.
WHO BUYS BREAKFAST ANYWAY?
The Illinois delegation is on cruise control for the remaining nights of the DNC, having already done their job approving the party platform and nominating their candidates for the highest offices in the land. The final two days are more about watching speeches, schmoozing and being schmoozed.
But no matter how late Illinois delegates are out politicking the night before, there is always a bug buffet breakfast the morning after.
"As long as you're awake enough to enjoy it, the food's great," says 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez.
The food is paid for by organized labor, trade and public sector unions whose leaders insist they are not trying to buy political influence.
"No, we're just glad to do this. We've been doing this for years and years," said Mike Carrigan, Illinois AFL-CIO.
"The fact that they're here buying some food for us every once in a while, I don't see that as a major problem," said Illinois Democratic Party Chairman and House Speaker Mike Madigan.
But Republicans say that back in Springfield, Madigan's Democrats have approved overly generous labor contracts and pension benefits, and are beholden to the public sector unions.
"That's a Republican position. I don't accept that. I don't think the people of Illinois accept that," Madigan said.
At the Republican National Convention in Cleveland business associations sponsored events for Republican delegates.
"Big corporations give to the Republicans, so are they beholden to the corporations?" said Carrigan.
At breakfast the unions that pick up the tab get their money's worth, as Chicago and national labor leaders cheer on their Democratic friends to beat Republicans everywhere.
"And we're gonna whip their *** royally! Are you with me?" said Jeffrey Davis Cos, American Federation of Government Employees, in his speech at the Illinois breakfast Wednesday.
CLINTON SHATTERS GLASS CEILING ON DNC DAY TWO
Clinton thanked supporters in a video message depicting shattering glass Tuesday night, a few hours after her historic nomination.
"I can't believe we just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet," she said.
WATCH: The moment Hillary Clinton won the Democratic nomination
In a ceremonial gesture, it was former opponent Bernie Sanders who moved to nominate Clinton unanimously by acclamation.
"I move that Hillary Rodham Clinton be selected as the nominee of the Democratic Party!" Sanders said.
WATCH: Vermont roll call and Bernie Sanders' motion
Bill Clinton delivered the night's keynote speech, making his case for why Hillary should be elected not as a former president but as a supportive husband.
"In the spring of 1971, I met a girl," he said.
He illuminated the personal and, in his view, presidential sides of his wife.
"She's the best change maker I ever met in my entire life," he said.
Hollywood stars also showed up to say "I'm with her" on the big night.
"According to Donald Trump, my body is probably like, a '2'," actress Lena Dunham said.
WATCH: The Mothers of the Movement share their stories at the DNC
The Mothers of the Movement, a group of women who have lost their children to violence, took the stage early Tuesday evening. The group includes Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Gardner; Lucia McBath, mother of Jordan Davis; Maria Hamilton, mother of Dontre Hamilton; Geneva Reed-Veal, mother of Sandra Bland; Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin; Leslie McSpadden, mother of Michael Brown; and Cleopatra Pendleton-Cowley, mother of Hadiya Pendleton.
"Hillary knows that when a young black life is cut short, it's not just a personal loss. It is a national loss," said Geneva Reed-Veal, Bland's mother.
Stay tuned to ABC7 Eyewitness News this week for more live reports from the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
