Former President Bill Clinton took the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Denver Wednesday night to heap praise on his wife Hillary's former political foe and to help unite the Democratic party -- before introducing Barack Obama's pick for his vice presidential running mate, Joe Biden.

The 42nd president approached the podium to the strains of his own DNC theme song, Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop," and had to wait for the crowd to settle down.

"I am here first for Barack Obama, and second I'm here to warm up the crowd for Joe Biden," he said, before acknowledging Hillary's remarkable campaign for the Democratic nomination -- joking that it generated enough heat to increase global warming -- and confessing his disappointment that, "In the end, my candidate didn't win."

"Like Hillary, I want all of you who supported her to vote for Barack Obama in November," he continued. "Barack Obama is ready to honor the oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Barack Obama is ready to be President of the United States."

Clinton passed the torch to Biden to the strains of U2's "Beautiful Day," followed by an inspirational tribute video to U.S. veterans by Steven Spielberg, featuring an appearance by Tom Hanks. Then Biden's son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, made his father's official introduction after a stirring speech recounting the adversity they overcame with the tragic deaths in their family (his first wife, Neilia, and their infant daughter Naomi died in a car crash in 1972) -- and how they rebuilt their lives.

With the "Ain't That America" chorus of John Mellencamp's "Pink Houses" blaring on the house speakers, Delaware Senator Biden thanked his wife Jill and son and delivered his acceptance speech: "Yes, yes, I accept your nomination to run and serve with Barack Obama, the next President of the United States."

"John McCain is my friend; we've traveled the world together -- it's a friendship that goes beyond politics," he later said about the Republican presidential nominee. "But I profoundly disagree with the direction John wants to take this country."

And in a climactic moment to the night, Barack came out from backstage to stand side-by-side with his vice presidential pick.

"I think the convention's gone pretty well so far, don't you think?" he boomed to the frenzied crowd before welcoming everyone to join him for his speech at Mile High Stadium Thursday night. "I think Michelle Obama kicked it off pretty well, don't you think? If I'm not mistaken, Hillary Clinton rocked the house last night. And just in case you were wondering, I think President Clinton reminded us of what it's like when you put a president first."

Stay tuned for all the highlights and on-the-floor-coverage of the DNC!