Obama passes the baton to Clinton in rousing speech
It was a passing of the baton, a farewell, and a thank you, all wrapped into the political drama of a prime time speech.
You can greatly admire this President or you can be disappointed by him, but you cannot deny his oratorical skills or the power of this moment.
He urged, cajoled and implored Americans to support Hillary Clinton.
It was a passionate and personal plea that had many in the arena on their feet, and wishing America did not have a two-term limit for its Presidents.
It was also a devastatingly effective take-down of the cynicism and divisive rhetoric of Donald Trump.
President Obama ridiculed the idea that America is diminished and weak. He insisted that the US was already great and strong.
The President was acting as the ultimate character witness for Hillary Clinton, testifying to her resilience, judgement and experience.
But he can't win the election for her. Hillary herself must persuade Middle America that she is trustworthy and honest. That's her challenge for the next 100 days.
As she came on the stage to embrace President Obama - the theatrical surprise of the night - the question that will decide this election was hanging in the air. Will Obama's famous coalition of voters - those yearning for change, black, white and Latino - come out for Hillary Clinton in November?
Tonight she will give her own prime time speech - nothing less than her pitch to become the 45th American President.