Obama touts Hillary Clinton as the most qualified candidate, asks voters ‘to reject cynicism, reject fear, to summon what’s best in us’ at DNC

PHILADELPHIA — In passing the torch, he lit up the room.

President Obama delivered a hearty reminder Wednesday before the Democratic National Convention of all that he's done for the country in his eight years and promised voters that they were in "good hands" with Hillary Clinton.

In what's certain to be one of his — if not the — last primetime address of his presidency,

Obama reviewed his most signature accomplishment inside the White House — passing health care reform, taking out Osama bin Laden and rescuing the U.S. economy from a depression — and outlined the case why Clinton would continue that arc of progress.

"I'm ready to pass the baton and do my part as a private citizen. 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," Obama said, prompting huge applause.

Twelve years after he first burst onto the national political scene with an extraordinary keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Obama bookended his presidency in the same fashion — but on behalf of somebody else.

"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 twelve years ago, when I talked about 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," he said. "Hope in the face of difficulty; hope in the face of uncertainty; the audacity of hope."

In a surprise met with gasps and a deafening roar, Clinton emerged on stage following Obama’s speech, embracing her former boss with a long hug and waving at the captivated crowd with a big smile.

 Earlier, before he was done singing the praises of his rival-turned-friend, Obama, who himself was greeted as he took the stage with chants of “yes we can,” saved his strongest words for Donald Trump, whom he's taken on with increasing relish in recent weeks.