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Former President Barack Obama delivered a skillful speech from Pennsylvania which lambasted Trump and his allies for endangering US democracy, while promising Biden and Harris will turn their "vision of a fairer country ... into a reality." 

Obama has largely been silent on the policies of his successor, Trump, since he left office in January 2017. The former president eschewed that longstanding political norm on Wednesday night to endorse Biden. 

Former President Barack Obama speaks by video feed during the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention [Democratic National Convention/Pool via Reuters]
Obama told voters - even those that were not sure for whom they would cast a ballot - that Biden and Harris will make sure the economy would not continue to favour the wealthy but would work for normal people.

Regarding Trump, who he called a "reality TV" leader, Obama said he had no respect for US democracy. 

"They are counting on your cynicism. They know they can't win you over with their policies, so they're trying to make it as hard as possible for you to vote ... This administration will show they will tear our democracy down if that's what it takes."