Obama calls on Americans to continue his legacy by voting Clinton

US president Barack Obama passes the baton to Hillary Clinton in emotional convention speech in which he cast Republican candidate Donald Trump as a threat to American values

President Obama was joined by Hillary Clinton at the end of his speech
President Obama was joined by Hillary Clinton at the end of his speech

Outgoing US President Barack Obama implored voters to help continue his legacy by carrying Hillary Clinton to victory at the polls in November.

Delivering the keynote speech at the convention, which elected Clinton as the party's presidential nominee on Tuesday , Obama said he had "come to admire" Clinton as someone who never quits, no matter "how much people try to knock her down.

"I can say with confidence there has never been a man or a woman more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as president of the United States of America."

He described Clinton as a person who listens, keeps her cool and treats everybody with respect.

In an emotional assault on Donald Trump’s patriotism in his last big speech to adoring Democrats on Thursday, Obama described the Republican candidate as a threat not just to his legacy, but to American democracy.

“Show the world we still believe in the promise of a great nation,” the president urged both delegates and a national audience which is in real danger of voting for someone he dubbed a “home-grown demagogue”.

The departing president was joined on stage by Clinton, making her first, surprise, appearance of the convention before an electrified crowd, which seems more than ready to embrace her. The biggest cheer of the week in Philadelphia came as Obama and Clinton walked off, arms wrapped around each other.