Its official. Democrats have become the party of optimism and belief that America is the greatest country on earth, the party welcoming immigrants. The audacity of hope over the politics of fear, a supremely qualified public servant in Hilary Clinton over an amateur hour con artist in Donald Trump.

Republicans have become the party of fear and doom, a long way from Reagan's optimistic "shining city on a hill."

And Donald Trump was universally denounced as a "homegrown tyrant", a con man, and a "dangerous demagogue" who says our military is a disaster, Russia should hack into our emails, and dictators are to be admired.

President Obama, in an inspiring address, couldn't have offered a more heartfelt and convincing endorsement of Hillary: "Not me, not Bill, nobody has been more qualified for president than Hillary Clinton," said the first black President of the first female major political party presidential nominee.

Who knew Day 3 at the DNC would be so uplifting, so inspiring, as speaker after speaker, led by President Obama, Joe Biden, Tim Kaine, Mike Bloomberg, Leon Panetta and Gabby Giffords united in a vision of hope, optimism and resolution to elect Hillary and continue to build a stronger and more equal America. Gerry Laybourne from Voices4Hillary, noted the many standing ovations, including for Gabby Giffords, for the daughter who lost her mom at Sandy Hook and the mother who lost her son in the Orlando massacre.

"Yes, we've still got more work to do for those who need a job, or a raise, or paid leave or decent retirement," acknowledged the President as he passed the baton to Hillary. Using the Teddy Roosevelt metaphor of the man in the arena who spends himself in a worthy cause, "unlike those cold and timid souls who neither know victory or defeat", Obama urged Americans " to get in the arena with Hillary, because democracy isn't a spectator sport. America isn't about 'Yes he will'. It's about 'Yes we can'. And thousands of delighted delegates shouted back, 'Yes we can.'

Obama walked on stage to U2'sCity of Blinding Lights, just as he had in 2008, with the appropriate final verse,

"And I miss you when you're not around

And I'm getting ready to leave the ground

Oh, you look so beautiful tonight

In the city of blinding lights."

At the end of Obama's rousing speech, Hillary joined the President on stage as they hugged to Stevie Wonder's, Signed, Sealed, Delivered. This must have been the strongest endorsement a sitting President has ever given to his potential successor. It wasn't just about Trump threatening our country, but a passionate articulation of Hillary's vision and character, that Hillary will be a great President who will bring us together to create a fairer and better society. Obama called it, "not just a choice between parties and policies, but a more fundamental choice about who we are as a people." "Even in the midst of a crisis Hillary listens to people. And she keeps her cool. No matter how much people try to knock her down, she never, ever, quits. That is the Hillary I know.

He appealed to Democrats, "Do for Hillary what you did for me. Carry her the way you carried me...Reject cynicism and reject fear and elect Hillary Clinton."

Obama recalled the tough 2008 presidential campaign he ran: "It was tough because Hillary was tough. I was worn out. She was doing everything I was doing, but like Ginger Rodgers, backwards and in heels."

Securing Our National Security and Fighting Terrorism

National security and terrorism were a big part of the evening, "Hillary will finish the job and do it without torture or barring entire religions from entering our country", President Obama said.

Former Defense Secretary and CIA Director, Leon Panetta, said "Trump today took Russia's side. He asked the Russians to interfere in American politics...asking one of our adversaries to engage in hacking or intelligence efforts against the US to affect an election."

Panetta vouched for Hillary's leadership, "In this election, here's the only candidate for president who has the experience, the temperament and the judgment to be commander-in-chief: and that's Hillary Clinton."

"Donald Trump is a walking, talking recruiting poster for terrorists", blasted retired Rear Admiral John Hutson. "That's not hyperbole. ISIS literally used Trump in a commercial."

Earlier in the evening it was Vice President Joe Biden who had us all on our feet as he entered the hall to the beat of Rocky and gave his valedictory speech, in some ways the speech he would have given if he had become the nominee. "Its never been a good bet to bet against America. We have the finest fighting force in the world, the strongest country, the most productive economy....and given a fair shot, Americans have never, never, never, ever let their country down." Taking a swipe at Trump's rhetoric of fear and hate, he thundered, "We do not scare easily, we endure, we overcome, and we always move forward!

When Biden called malarkey on Trump's concern for the middle class, the crowd broke into a chant, "not a clue, not a clue".

Tim Kaine, the nominee for Vice President demonstrated his cross bench style early on: "Anyone looking for the Party of Lincoln, we've got a party here for you in Philadelphia." He said that he judged politicians by the passion they had before they held office. "Hillary had a passion for helping kids and families for years. Trump has a passion too, it's himself...Hillary is ready because of her faith, heart and experience."

Kaine showed some teeth as he called Trump a "self-promoting one-man wrecking crew" and cleverly mocked Trump's "believe me" refrain. "You cannot believe one word that comes out of his mouth...lying is second nature to him."

Mike Bloomberg, the former Mayor of New York, surprised us with the best speech of his life, and the biggest take down of Donald Trump. Promising as an outsider an unconventional convention speech, he made the case as an independent why its imperative we elect Hillary as our next President.

"We need a problem solver, not a bomb thrower. Hillary can do it and I saw how Hillary worked with Republicans and Democrats to ensure New York got the help it needed....Hillary is the right choice. Hillary understands this is not reality television, this is reality."

Now, if anyone knows Donald Trump well, his fellow New Yorker Mike Bloomberg does. Here's what he had to say about Trump:

"Donald Trump is a dangerous demagogue."

"Trump wants to run the country like he runs his business, God help us!"

"I'm a New Yorker and I know a con when I see one."

"The richest thing about Donald Trump is his hypocrisy."

Bloomberg concluded, " this is not a choice between Democrats and Republicans, its a choice between who is best for our economy, our security, our freedom and our future. There is no doubt that Hillary is the right choice. Please join me out of love of our country in voting for the candidate who is sane and confident, a unifier who builds consensus and recognizes we all have something to contribute."

Below is the video produced by Funny or Die on Trump's hypocrisy about bringing jobs to America.

Finally, the Voices4Hillary team hopes that the spineless politicians in Congress who blocked common sense gun reform felt some sense of shame as Gabby Giffords hobbled on stage earlier in the evening. "In Congress I learned a powerful lesson, strong women get things done...speaking is difficult for me. But come January, I want to say these two words, 'Madam President'."

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July 28, 2016