
Hillary Clinton upstaged President Barack Obama tonight with a surprise appearance at the end of his Democratic National Convention speech.

The president and his one-time rival turned friend shared a long hug and paraded around the stage at the end of the night while Obama's 2008 campaign song, 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered,' blared over a loudspeaker.

Obama informally said goodbye on Wednesday night to the supporters that eight years ago carried him to victory over Clinton from the convention stage in Philadelphia.

'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,' he said. This year, in this election, 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, and show the world we still believe in the promise of this great nation.'

He did his best to unite the Democratic Party in the remarks and redirect progressives' anger from Clinton to Donald Trump who he zealously went after for portraying America as a country in decline. The president also tore into the Republican over his plans to build a wall on the border with Mexico.

'Hillary knows we can insist on a lawful and orderly immigration system while still seeing striving students and their toiling parents as loving families, not criminals or rapists' he said.

'She knows their dream is quintessentially American, and the American Dream is something no wall will ever contain.'

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SURPRISE! Democratic nominee came out onstage at tonight's Democratic National Convention and hugged President Obama after he gave her a ringing endorsement

President Barack Obama and Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton embrace on the third day of the Democratic Convention

President Obama and Hillary Clinton raise their hands in the air following his speech on the third night of the Democratic Convention

Clinton and Obama shared a hug and paraded around the stage while Obama's 2008 campaign song, 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered,' blared

Hillary Clinton appeared to be filled with emotion as she shared the Democratic National Convention stage with President Obama

Trump is fanning the flames of 'resentment, and blame, and anger and hate', he said. Clinton, on the other hand 'keeps her cool, and treats everybody with respect'.

'And no matter how daunting the odds; no matter how much people try to knock her down, she never, ever, quits,' he said.

Obama also backed up Clinton's 'judgement' - which is evidenced by her selection of Tim Kaine to be her vice president, he said.

'Tim Kaine is as good a man, as humble and as committed a public servant as anybody that I know. I know his family. I love Anne. I love their kids. He will be a great vice president,' Obama said, vouching for the U.S. Senator.

He added: 'He will make Hillary a better President - just like my dear friend and brother, Joe Biden, has made me a better president.'

Returning to Clinton, Obama said: 'Hillary has got her share of critics. She has been caricatured by the right and by some on the left. She has been accused of everything you can imagine - and some things that you cannot. But she knows that’s what happens when you’re under a microscope for 40 years.

'She knows that sometimes during those 40 years she’s made mistakes - just like I have; just like we all do,' he said. 'That’s what happens when we try.'

He complimented losing Democrat Bernie Sanders' supporters' for their tenacity and told the party's rank and file: 'We all need to be as vocal and as organized and as persistent as Bernie Sanders supporters have been during this election.

'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,' he said

Obama came back around in his speech and shamed them into giving their backing to the party's nominee - Clinton.

'Hillary Clinton is that woman in the arena. She’s been there for us – even if we haven’t always noticed. And if you’re serious about our democracy, you can’t afford to stay home just because she might not align with you on every issue,' he told them to deafening cheers from Clinton's supporters.

Obama said: 'You’ve got to get in the arena with her, because democracy isn’t a spectator sport. America isn’t about “yes he will”, It’s about “yes we can”. And we’re going to carry Hillary to victory this fall, because that’s what the moment demands.'

Making sure they got the message he repeated himself and said, it's 'yes WE can - not yes she can, not yes I can - yes WE can.'

He said later in a reprise of the same theme in a line directed at Trump, who said he 'alone' can fix the country's problems, 'America has never been about what one person says he’ll do for us. It’s about what can be achieved by us, together.'

President Obama touted his former secretary of state's record while receiving a rockstar response at tonight's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia

'It can be frustrating, this business of democracy. Trust me, I know,' the president said in his speech. 'Hillary knows, too. When the other side refuses to compromise, progress can stall. People are hurt by the inaction. Supporters can grow impatient and worry that you’re not trying hard enough; that you’ve maybe sold out.'

He promised them that when they keep at it, 'progress does happen.'

'And if you doubt that, just ask the 20 million more people who have health care today. Just ask the Marine who proudly serves his country without hiding the husband that he loves.'

As he arrived at convention earlier in the evening, the president received a rockstar's response before he passed the torch to Clinton, his former secretary of state.

'Thank you,' he yelled over their clapping. 'Thank you so much. Thank you, everyone!'

They shouted back at him, 'Yes we can' - his campaign slogan. 'I love you back,' he told a gushing audience member.

The president was light on his feet as he reminisced about his first time addressing the convention 12 years ago and his early days in the White House.

Michelle 'somehow hasn't aged a day,' he said of the First Lady. 'I know the same cannot be said for me.'

'My girls remind me all the time. "Wow, you’ve changed so much, daddy". And then they try to clean it up,' he said to giggles.

Obama went over his greatest hits - his health care agreement, the reopening of relations with Cuba, his international climate change agreement, the night he ordered a hit on Osama bin Laden.

And after a short wind-up he moved on to praising Hillary Clinton, his 2008 rival and her level-headedness.

Barack Obama got a rockstar's response as he arrived at the Democratic National Convention to pass the torch to Hillary Clinton, his former secretary of state

The president was light on his feet as he reminisced about his first time addressing the convention 12 years ago and his early days in the White House

Michelle 'somehow hasn't aged a day,' he said of the first lady. 'I know the same cannot be said for me'

'You know, nothing truly prepares you for the demands of the Oval Office. You can read about it. You can study it. But 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,' he observed.

Clinton is as prepared as she could possibly be, however, he said. 'Hillary has been in the room; she’s been part of those decisions.'

'That’s the Hillary I know. That’s the Hillary I’ve come to admire. And that’s why 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 of America.'

The line was met with cheers.

'I hope you don't mind, Bill, but I was just telling the truth, man,' Obama ad libbed as he teased former President Bill Clinton.

'And then there’s Donald Trump,' he said.

Obama did his best to characterize Trump as out of step with mainstream politics. The convention the Republican headlined in Cleveland last week 'wasn’t particularly Republican - and it sure wasn’t conservative,' Obama said. '

'What we heard was a deeply pessimistic vision of a country where we turn against each other, and turn away from the rest of the world. There were no serious solutions to pressing problems - just the fanning of resentment, and blame, and anger, and hate.'

Obama went over his greatest hits - his health care agreement, the reopening of relations with Cuba, his international climate change agreement, the night he ordered a hit on Osama bin Laden

That is not the America Obama said he was familiar with. 'The America I know is full of courage, and optimism, and ingenuity. The America I know is decent and generous,' he said.

Sure there are racial divisions and political gridlock, he said. 'All of that is real. We are challenged to do better; to be better.'

'But as I’ve traveled this country, through all 50 states, as I’ve rejoiced with you and mourned with you, what I have also seen, more than anything, is what is right with America,' the president proclaimed.

Only one candidate in this race shares that vision of the future, he assessed, and she has 'devoted her life' to ensuring it comes to fruition.

'A mother and a grandmother who would do anything to help our children thrive; a leader with real plans to break down barriers, and blast through glass ceilings, and widen the circle of opportunity to every single American -- the next President of the United States, Hillary Clinton. '

The crowd broke out into shouts of 'Hillary.' He told them, 'that's right.'

Glossing over their messy history he said Americans 'may remember' he and Hillary competed against each other in 2008 for the Democratic nomination.

'Let me tell you, it was tough, because Hillary was tough. I was worn out. She was doing everything I was doing, but just like Ginger Rogers, it was backwards in heels,' he said, recycling a line from speech he gave on Clinton's behalf in Charlotte, North Carolina. 'And every time I thought I might have the race won, Hillary just came back stronger.'

When it was all over he asked her to join his cabinet, to the surprise of some of his staff, he said tonight.

Obama did his best to unite the Democratic Party tonight and redirect progressives' anger from Clinton to Donald Trump

Former President Bill Clinton showed up on Wednesday night to cheer on the president. He sat alongside Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Labor Secretary Tom Perez

'And for four years - for four years, I had a front-row seat to her intelligence, her judgment, and her discipline. I came to realize that her unbelievable work ethic wasn’t for praise, it wasn’t for attention - that she was in this for everyone who needs a champion,' the president said.

Unlike Trump, she has 'real plans' to solve America's problems.

'The Donald is not really a plans guy,' he said to laughter. 'He’s not really a facts guy, either. He calls himself a business guy, which is true, but I have to say, I know plenty of businessmen and women who’ve achieved remarkable success without leaving a trail of lawsuits, and unpaid workers, and people feeling like they got cheated.'

He later said that Trump is 'not actually offering any real solutions to those issues. 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.'

'And that's another bet that Donald Trump will lose. And the reason he'll lose it is because he’s selling the American people short,' Obama declared. 'We're not a fragile people. We're not a frightful people. Our power doesn’t come from some self-declared savior promising that he alone can restore order as long as we do things his way.

'We don’t look to be ruled,' the president said, sending delegates into an uproar.

Giving Trump a gut punch, he said, '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,' he said, suggesting that Americans who 'truly' care about their economic well being would not.

Wheels up: President Barack Obama waves from the top of the steps of Air Force One at Andrews Air Force base in Maryland ahead of his speech at the Democratic National Convention

Mischief maker? Barack Obama smiles as he walks across the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One for the short flight to Andrews Air Force Base

He added: 'If you’re rightly concerned about who’s going to keep you and your family safe in a dangerous world, well, the choice is even clearer. Hillary Clinton is respected around the world - not just by leaders, but by the people they serve.'

'I have to say this. People outside of the United States do not understand what’s going on in this election. They really don't. Because they know Hillary. They’ve seen her work,' he claimed.

'She has the judgment and the experience and the temperament to meet the threat from terrorism. It’s not new to her. Our troops have pounded ISIL without mercy, taking out their leaders, taking back territory. And I know Hillary won’t relent until ISIL is destroyed. She will finish the job.

'She will do it without resorting to torture, or banning entire religions from entering our country. She is fit and she is ready to be the next Commander-in-Chief.'

'Meanwhile, Donald Trump calls our military a disaster. Apparently, he doesn’t know the men and women who make up the strongest fighting force the world has ever known. He suggests America is weak.'

Trump got under Democrats' skin today as he invited Russia to hack Clinton's emails so he could prove she's lying. The shocking endorsement of foreign espionage came after Obama said it's 'possible' Vladimir Putin and his cronies could be trying to influence the election.

'He cozies up to Putin, praises Saddam Hussein, and tells the NATO allies that stood by our side after 9/11 that they have to pay up if they want our protection,' Obama said tonight.

Challenge: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said the Kremlin might be able to locate the messages Hillary Clinton had deleted from her secret server after its existence was revealed

Double down: After the press conference Trump tweeted his challenge to the hackers

Trump says he will make America great again - America is already great, the president said.

'America is already strong. And I promise you, our strength, our greatness, does not depend on Donald Trump. In fact, it doesn’t depend on any one person. And that, in the end, may be the biggest difference in this election -- the meaning of our democracy.'

Clinton popped up at the convention for the second time before her Thursday evening address, when she will formally accept the Democratic nomination.

Tuesday night she treated her supporters to a live video appearance that she taped out of New York to thank them for making her the first woman in history to earn a major party's nomination for president.

Donald Trump inserted himself in every day of the Republican convention, introducing his wife on Monday, beaming in by video Tuesday and joining his running mate Mike Pence, the governor of Indiana, on stage on Wednesday night.

Clinton didn't give her vice presidential pick the final speaking slot of the night. That honor was reserved for President Obama. It was him who she choose to stand next to in the dramatic moment that concluded the third night of the convention,

Obama closed out the night, speaking after Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, Clinton's running mate, and Vice President Joe Biden.

US Vice President Joe Biden addresses the third evening session of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia

Hero's welcome: Vice President Joe Biden was played onto the Democratic National convention stage to the theme from 'Rocky'

Snubbed: Bill de Blasio took to the stage at 5.30pm to support Hillary Clinton and bash Donald Trump, but missed out on a prime time slot

Warm introduction: Biden's wife Jill introduced him as someone who was 'authentic long before it became a buzzword in politics'

Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords waves to the crowd on the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center. It has been five years since she survived an assassination attempt

The speakers impacted by gun violence were introduced by film director and producer Lee Daniels. He spoke passionately of his own family's struggles as he endorsed Hillary Clinton

Erica Smegielski, daughter of the slain principal from Sandy Hook Elementary School Dawn Hochsprung, said she didn't want to be at the convention, and instead should have been at home with her mother

The president said his tenure wasn't perfect and there's so much more he wishes he had accomplished. 'Tonight, I’m here to tell you that, yes, we’ve still got more work to do,' he said.

He said he has 'confidence' though that he's leaving his party 'in good hands.'

'My time in this office, it hasn’t fixed everything. As much as we’ve done, there’s still so much I want to do. But for all the tough lessons I’ve had to learn, for all the places where I’ve fallen short -- I’ve told Hillary, and I’ll tell you, what’s picked me back up every single time: It’s been you. The American people.'

Concluding his remarks he told Democrats gathered at the Wells Fargo Arena for his speech, 'Time and again, you’ve picked me up. And I hope, sometimes, I picked you up, too. And 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. Because you're who I was talking about 12 years ago when I talked about hope. It’s been you who fueled my dogged faith in our future, even when the odds were great; even when the road is long. Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope.'

'That's my man': Michelle Obama tweeted her support for her husband President Barack Obama following his speech at the convention

First lady Michelle Obama, who was wearing a custom made dress by US designer Christian Siriano, wowed at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Monday night

Ready for action: The National Anthem is performed by Sebastien De La Cruz on the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center

The audience swayed in unison as the Broadway singers passed around a microphone belting out 'What the World Needs Now is Love'

Powerful performance: Dozens of Broadway stars performed together at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night

Big names: Deborah Messing (second from left) was among dozens of Broadway stars to sing together at the Democratic Convention

Actress Angela Bassett introduced two survivors of the shooting massacre last year at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina

Actress Star Jones speaks during the third day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia

Sigourney Weaver introduced a short film about climate change, directed by James Cameron and featuring Jack Black, Don Cheadle, America Ferrera, Clinton herself - and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a prominent Republican

Singer Lenny Kravitz performs during the third day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia , Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Pledging allegiance: Delegates stand during the National Anthem ahead of what should be a packed night of heavyweight speakers from the Democratic Party

The elephant in the room: Bernie Sanders supporters gather near City Hill on day three, highlighting Bill Clinton's extramarital affair with Monica Lewinsky