• There is a focus on security, the economy, gun violence and climate change today. • The key speaker is President Barack Obama. • Vice-President Joe Biden and new vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine will speak. • There will be a performance by Lenny Kravitz.
Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention, as it happened:
3.41pm: Hillary Clinton briefly joined Obama on the stage.
3.40pm: Obama has finished his speech by saying: "America, you have vindicated that hope these past eight years."
"Now 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.
"Thank you for this incredible journey. Let's keep it going. God bless the United States of America."
3.39pm: "Time and again, you've picked me up. I hope, sometimes, I picked you up, too," Obama says.
"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 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. Hope in the face of difficulty; hope in the face of uncertainty; the audacity of hope!"
3.36pm: Obama says he has confidence that the Democratic Party is in good hands.
"My time in this office 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 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."
3.35pm: "America has changed over the years. But these values my grandparents taught me - they haven't gone anywhere. They're as strong as ever; still cherished by people of every party, every race, and every faith. They live on in each of us. What makes us American, what makes us patriots, is what's in here. That's what matters. That's why we can take the food and music and holidays and styles of other countries, and blend it into something uniquely our own. That's why we can attract strivers and entrepreneurs from around the globe to build new factories and create new industries here. That's why our military can look the way it does, every shade of humanity, forged into common service. That's why anyone who threatens our values, whether fascists or communists or jihadists or homegrown demagogues, will always fail in the end."
3.34pm: "And what my grandparents understood was that these values weren't limited to Kansas. They weren't limited to small towns. These values could travel to Hawaii; even the other side of the world, where my mother would end up working to help poor women get a better life. They knew these values weren't reserved for one race; they could be passed down to a half-Kenyan grandson, or a half-Asian granddaughter; in fact, they were the same values Michelle's parents, the descendants of slaves, taught their own kids living in a bungalow on the South Side of Chicago. They knew these values were exactly what drew immigrants here, and they believed that the children of those immigrants were just as American as their own, whether they wore a cowboy hat or a yarmulke; a baseball cap or a hijab."
3.32pm: Obama has shared the story about his Kansas grandparents and the things they taught him when he was growing up.
"They came from the heartland; their ancestors began settling there about 200 years ago. They were Scotch-Irish mostly, farmers, teachers, ranch hands, pharmacists, oil rig workers. Hardy, small town folks. Some were Democrats, but a lot of them were Republicans. My grandparents explained that they didn't like show-offs. They didn't admire braggarts or bullies. They didn't respect mean-spiritedness, or folks who were always looking for shortcuts in life. Instead, they valued traits like honesty and hard work. Kindness and courtesy. Humility; responsibility; helping each other out.
"That's what they believed in. True things. Things that last. The things we try to teach our kids."
3.30pm: Obama says America isn't about "yes he will." It's about "yes we can."
"We're going to carry Hillary to victory this fall, because that's what the moment demands.
"They tell voters there's a 'real America' out there that must be restored. This isn't an idea that started with Donald Trump. It's been peddled by politicians for a long time - probably from the start of our Republic."
3.27pm: "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; families that came here for the same reasons our forebears came - to work, and study, and make a better life, in a place where we can talk and worship and love as we please. She knows their dream is quintessentially American, and the American Dream is something no wall will ever contain."
3.23pm: "America has never been about what one person says he'll do for us. It's always been about what can be achieved by us, together, through the hard, slow, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately enduring work of self-government.
"And that's what Hillary Clinton understands."
3.22pm: "Ronald Reagan called America 'a shining city on a hill,'" Obama says.
"Donald Trump calls it 'a divided crime scene' that only he can fix. It doesn't matter to him that illegal immigration and the crime rate are as low as they've been in decades, because he's not 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. That is another bet that Donald Trump will lose. And the reason he'll lose it is because he's selling the American people short."
3.20pm: "Our troops have pounded ISIL without mercy, taking out leaders, taking back territory," Obama says.
"I know Hillary won't relent until ISIL is destroyed. She'll finish the job - and she'll do it without resorting to torture, or banning entire religions from entering our country."
3.18pm: Obama has addressed Clinton's rival Donald Trump.
"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?" he says.
"He calls himself a business guy, which is true, but I have to say, I know plenty of businessmen and women who've achieved success without leaving a trail of lawsuits, and unpaid workers, and people feeling like they got cheated.
3.12pm: "You know, nothing truly prepares you for the demands of the Oval Office. 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. But Hillary's been in the room; she's been part of those decisions. She knows what's at stake.
"Even in the middle of crisis, she listens to people, and 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," Obama says.
"There has never been a man or a woman more qualified than Hillary Clinton to serve as President of the United States of America."
3.09pm: Obama has talked about when he and Hillary were rivals for the Democratic nomination.
"We battled for a year and a half. Let me tell you, it was tough, because Hillary's tough. She was doing everything I was doing, but just like Ginger Rogers, backwards and in heels. Every time I thought I might have that race won, Hillary just came back stronger.
"But after it was all over, I asked Hillary to join my team. She was a little surprised, but ultimately said yes - because she knew that what was at stake was bigger than either of us. And for four years, I had a front-row seat to her intelligence, her judgment, and her discipline. I came to realise that her unbelievable work ethic wasn't for praise or attention - that she was in this for everyone who needs a champion. I understood that after all these years, she has never forgotten just who she's fighting for."
"That's the America I know. And there is only one candidate in this race who believes in that future, and has devoted her life to it; a mother and grandmother who'd do anything to help our children thrive; a leader with real plans to break down barriers, blast through glass ceilings, and widen the circle of opportunity to every single American - the next President of the United States, Hillary Clinton."
3.05pm: Obama has addressed the differences between the parties saying that's always been the case.
"What we heard in Cleveland last week wasn't particularly Republican, and it sure wasn't conservative. What we heard was a deeply pessimistic vision...there were no solutions. Just the fanning of resentment and anger and hate. And that is not the America I know.. the America I know is decent and generous."
3pm: Obama says back in 2004 he was filled with faith in the country and that he is now "more optimistic about the future of America than ever before."
He says this is because the economy has recovered, job creation is healthy, health care is now an American right.
Also he says because troops are coming home, and "we delivered justice to Osama bin Laden."
His "success" list also includes Iran, Cuba, Paris climate deal, student loans, consumer protection, combat veteran homelessness, and marriage equality.
"By so many measures, our country is stronger and more prosperous than it was when we started."
2.55pm: "Hello America, hello democrats.
"12 years ago tonight I addressed this convention for the first time," Obama says.
He says his girls were young then and now are "amazing young women."
He praises his "brilliant wife and partner Michelle."
"I know, the same cannot be changed for me. My girls remind me all the time. 'Wow you've changed so much daddy.' Then they try to clean it up. 'Not young, but more mature.'"
2.53pm: Barack Obama has been met with loud cheers from the crowd as he takes to the stage.
"This convention has deeply underestimated the pandemic of violence going around this world." D Brooks, PBS, making a good point for once.
2.30pm: Kaine compares Clinton's plans with Trump's approach. "He just says 'Believe me'." He is doing a Trump voice as he says 'believe me'. Kaine is tearing into Trump as a "guy who promises a lot" but always follows up with the words "believe me". Kaine says that "most people, when they run for president, they don't just say 'believe me.' They respect you enough to tell you how they will get things done." Kaine says the Republican presidential nominee has asked Americans to believe he'll build a wall with Mexico, destroy Isis "so fast" - and that there's nothing suspicious in the tax returns he won't make public. The Virginia senator says, "so here's the question: Do you really believe him? Donald Trump's whole career says you better not." Kaine whose son just deployed as a Marine says he trusts Clinton "with my son's life".
2.25pm: Kaine: "Hillary has a passion for kids and families". He says Trump's passion is himself.
2.20pm: Kaine says: "We all should feel the Bern and we all should not want to get Berned by the other guy".
2.15pm: Kaine is introducing himself and speaks about his time as a missionary in Honduras. He breaks into Spanish. Kaine says if he's good at his work, it's because he "started at the local level listening to people, learning about their lives and trying to get results." Kaine says it was hard work steering his state through the recession, but he says, "Hey, tough times don't last - and tough people do".
2.10pm: VP hopeful Senator Tim Kaine has a tough job after those speeches.
If Democrats--Obama, Biden, Warren, Michelle, Bill, Hillary--were basketball team, Kaine would be guy who rebounds, plays solid D #DNCinPHL
2.04pm: For a convention which has been focused on pleasing the base Bloomberg was probably an important push to independents as a sometime independent himself.
2.00pm: From AP:
One of the nation's richest men, Michael Bloomberg drew upon his business background in his unorthodox convention speech in Philadelphia to make the case that a Trump administration would be disastrous for the nation's economy. "Trump has left behind a well-documented record of bankruptcies and thousands of lawsuits and angry shareholders and contractors who feel cheated and disillusioned customers who feel ripped off," said Bloomberg. Though Bloomberg said that Clinton was "not a flawless candidate," he praised her work ethic, intelligence and attempts at bipartisanship that made her "the right choice - and the responsible choice - in this election."
1.52pm: The Washington Post on Trump's email comments:
"The big story at the Democratic convention for most of today was not the Democrats - not Hillary Clinton, Tim Kaine or even President Barack Obama, the evening's star speaker. It was Donald Trump, whose loose and provocative talk about the Russians and Clinton's emails seemed exponentially beyond even his standards for creating turmoil and controversy. Trump thrives on chaos and above all else demands attention. When the spotlight falls elsewhere, such as on the Democrats this week in Philadelphia, he looks to shift it back in his direction. He is a candidate who uses disruption as a strategic force. Today was a textbook example - whether for good or ill."
1.45pm: Bloomberg ends by suggesting voters "elect a sane, competent person" - Hillary Clinton.
1.41pm: Bloomberg is throwing grenades: "Trump says he wants to run the nation like he's run his business. God help us". "I'm a New Yorker and I know a con when I see one." "The richest thing about Trump is his hypocrisy." "Trump is a risky and radical choice and we can't afford to make it." "This isn't reality television, it's reality."
1.40pm: Bloomberg says Americans must "unite around the candidate who can defeat a dangerous demagogue".
Michael Bloomberg: "We must unite around the candidate who can defeat a dangerous demagogue" pic.twitter.com/Jh6zR29dud
1.36pm: "Let me thank all of you for welcoming an outsider here to deliver what will be an unconventional convention speech" - former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The rest of the Democratic Party should learn from the way Joe Biden is attacking Donald Trump–easily the most effective politician to do it
1.27pm: The Vice-President says: "We cannot elect a man who exploits our fears and has no plan. It betrays our values". Biden ends with a red-blooded appeal to nationalism. He says this will be the American century. "We are America, second to none and we own the finish line, don't forget it." A lot of chatter on Twitter that he would have been a more effective candidate against Trump than Clinton.
1.22pm: Biden is onto Trump. "His cynicism is unbounded. He's trying to tell us he cares about the middle class? Give me a break. That's a bunch of malarkey." He adds: "He has no clue. Period."
1.20pm: Biden talks about an unbreakable spirit in America and says Hillary Clinton gets in and understands. He says "she's always been there", that's her life story.
1.12pm: Biden says Obama is the embodiment of honour and character. "He has been one of the finest presidents we ever had." He adds: "Michelle, I don't know where you are kid but you're incredible!"
1.11pm: Biden enters the arena in Philadelphia to the theme music from Rocky. and says "Thank you. I love you."
1.03pm: Panetta says about Trump's statement on emails: "It's inconceivable to me that any presidential candidate would be that irresponsible". He says Trump cannot become commander-in-chief. As people chant "no more war" Panetta says: "Donald Trump asks our troops to commit war crimes. Endorses torture. Spurns our allies and praises dictators."
12.56pm: Panetta's speech is being disrupted by anti-war chants.
Wow, glad the Bernie-ites in the hall are raging at Panneta when Trump is out there doing things that could get so many Americans killed.
12.52pm: Panetta talks about the Osama bin Laden raid, saying "Hillary was clear 'we have to go after bin Laden'. He says she is just as determined to deal with today's terrorists.
12.50pm: Former Congressman and Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta says he has worked alongside nine president and that Hillary Clinton is the only option. "This is no time to gamble with our future."
I'm all for Love, but as a political message in 2016 doesn't it play right into Trump's hands? People are genuinely scared. #DNCinPHL
12.43pm: Hutson refers to previous Trump comments about Senator John McCain as a captive of war saying "Donald you're not fit to polish John McCain's boots".
12.40pm: Retired Rear Admiral John Hutson refers to Donald Trump's comments about Russia saying "that's not law and order, that's criminal intent". He says Trump is a "walking, talking recruiting poster for terrorists".
12.30pm: What's happened so far
From the Washington Post:
A parade of Democratic legislators who took the stage on the third day of the party's convention highlighted the diversity of the party and harshly criticised the Republican Party's nominee, Donald Trump.
"Donald J Trump, your words have been hostile, bigoted, and insulting," said Congressman GK Butterfield, of North Carolina, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. "You have used every opportunity to talk about your wealth; to denigrate people who don't hold your views, even within your own party.
"You are not qualified to serve as president," he said.
On a day that is expected to increasingly focus on safety at home and the threats abroad, Democrats sought to create a stark contrast between their approach to those issues and the Republican convention last week in Cleveland.
"We aren't building a wall, we are building a family - an American family," was the message of a video projected throughout the arena.
Senator Timothy Kaine of Virginia was unanimously nominated to be the Democratic Party's vice-presidential candidate, kicking off the third session of the party's convention that is focused on Hillary Clinton's national security experience.
Relatives of the victims of the recent Orlando, Florida, nightclub shooting appeared, as well as Dawn Hochsprung, whose mother was the principal of Sandy Hook Elementary School and was shot dead in the 2012 massacre; and astronaut Mark Kelly and his wife, former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the victim of a 2011 assassination attempt. The couple leads a gun safety organisation.
Speeches by President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden and Kaine are set to headline the session, and each are expected to argue that Clinton has the experience necessary to be commander-in-chief.
The prime-time speeches will come just hours after Trump called on Russia to hack into Clinton's email server to recover tens of thousands of missing emails and on the same day that Pope Francis warned amid fresh terror attacks across Europe that the "world is at war" amid fresh terror attacks across Europe.
"Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press," Trump said during a freewheeling and tense news conference at his South Florida resort.
"This has to be the first time that a major presidential candidate has actively encouraged a foreign power to conduct espionage against his political opponent," said Clinton's senior national security adviser Jake Sullivan in a statement. "That's not hyperbole, those are just the facts."
Among those taking the stage are Leon Panetta, the former Defence Secretary and CIA director who served alongside Hillary Clinton during Obama's first term, most notably during the military operation that killed terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent, plans to endorse Clinton in a speech that raises concerns about Trump's fitness for the presidency.