Concord, New Hampshire (CNN) – President Barack Obama characterized his place in the upcoming election in surprising terms Sunday, slightly reframing a line he first used Saturday night.
"I looked at David Plouffe and some of you know he's my big campaign bus smart guy, Plouffe and I looked at each other and we said you know what? We're no longer relevant now, we're props," Obama told the crowd of 14,000 outside the Concord state capitol building.
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He used the line to emphasize the importance of the campaign ground game, just three days until Election Day.
"What's happened is now the campaign falls on these 25 year old kids who are out there knocking on doors, making phone calls and then we realized pretty soon after they do their jobs then now they're not relevant either because it's now up to you," Obama said.
The president delivered a similar line in battleground Virginia Saturday night, saying "as the campaign goes on, we become less relevant."
"I'm sort of a prop in the campaign," Obama said. "The planning, everything we do, it doesn't matter, because now it is all up to you."
At the president's first event Sunday, he continued to chastise Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney for taking up the mantle of "change." He said Romney is offering a plan that would rule out compromise and rubber stamp the tea party agenda, while he will continue to work with Republican members of Congress.
He added that voters can trust he will always tell the truth, even if there are disagreements.
"Michelle doesn't agree with everything I do," he added.
Former President Bill Clinton joined the president on the campaign trail again for the New Hampshire stop, also hitting on the congressional cooperation theme. The Democratic stalwart said electing Obama to a second term will "keep the door open" to further cooperation between the two parties. After Tuesday, members of the GOP "will walk through it."
Playing to the Granite State crowd, Clinton, who won the state during his two runs for the White House, said "it's no secret that I never tired of coming here."
"It is a very good thing that in the closing days of this campaign you have the chance to send the president back to where he belongs, to four more years in the White House," he said.
From CNN Politics
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Obama go win !!!!!!!!!
Obama is deserving of 4 more years. Republican Congress needs to Stop Promoting Gridlock.
My job is just a prop.
Well if he is reelected perhaps he won't be a prop and will do his job and push through a Simpson-Bowles type plan. If he loses he deserves to lose just for abandoning Simpson-Bowles. The country needs a President that is a leader, not a prop.
CMON Man! That has to be the stupedist thing to say. Obama, you are the leader of the free world and president of the United States. Romney is a phoney. Now start acting that way.
When was he not a prop?
That's all he's ever been.
Just a prop, kinda like an empty chair.
Obama is going to win again those little polls you get peoples choce on who they will vote for some people could just say they will vote for each person in the race the real race will be nov 6 the numbers in the vote is all that matters
I really do like Bill Clinton.
I haven't seen the president as much more than a prop for near 30 years – either party – doesn't matter – our government is dysfunctional and it's becasue the people have taken the bait. Nothing to do now but wait for the impact, and it's coming in the next 4 years – inflation b/c of massive government printing of money on top of the bubbled real estate, stock, credit, discretionary spending about to completely burst when foreign investors (and domestic) move away from lending us money to keep the party going as they at first slowly, then in a paniced way realized it's impossible for our government to continue like this and there is 0% chance they wil honor their debt will crash our economy before 2016. We are electing the most unpopular president in history – and it doesn't matter which one wins; whoever it is will take the main part of the blame. Prepare my fellow Americans – it's going to be a rough time.
"We're props". The most valid statement the man has made while President.
True... you are no longer relevant ... not even an after-thought... you got it right for a change. Now for real change !!
Romney/ Ryan 2012 !
He's always been a prop. A puppet on a string. Someone else is calling the shots. That's why he can't fulfill his promises.
obama is facing reality he is losing
There is only one thing i see now.And that is, i see president Obama as our president, for the next four years. And nothing will change that.
If Robmey gets elected it will be "We The People" who are the props for the monster international corporations, religious nutjobs, and rightwing politicians whose primary focus is to concentrate more power and wealth to the few who already have way more than they need.
I was at the Ryan rally in Harrisburg today and will be in Philadelphia for Romney tomorrow. What is happening here in PA is awesome, and Romney will win this state!!!
"He added that voters can trust he will always tell the truth" like the rally was spontanious and it's all due to the video.
Exactly. Obama has proven that he not a leader and he IS a prop. In four years he's done more to divide this country than any president in history. Who do you want these next four years? Someone who seeks revenge? Or someone with proven LEADership abilities?
Easy for for Romney if you wish to have a solution to the fiscal cliff we can all agree upon.
Republicans are just too much. The ex mayor of NYC gets on CNN and scuffs dirt into Obama's face. I can't believe the length these rich scoundrels will go to besmirch one of the best leaders we have ever had!!!!
He's always been a Hollywood prop!
Bill is a prop for his wife! Setting her up for a dismal 2016 run. No gonna happen!!! Go Mitt 2012!!
I'm worried that the USA is about to begin it's last 4 years of exisitence. If Obama wins, we aer all doomed, especially our children and their childrend and thieir great grandchiildren.
Romney is our only way out of this mess that Obama has got us into. Obama could not fix our economic issue in 40 or 400 years, much less 4.
Clinton was never a good president. Read My FBI by Louis Freeh, who was the FBI director at the time. Clinton was selling american lives for political benefits just as current administration does. Bill just was in the right place at the right time. Year 2000 & .com boom helped the economy while slick Billy was defending himself against Monica issue, which was no issue at all. But it showed that he will lie shamelessly if he feels like it. The same thing he is doing now. And why Hilary is not resigning yet? Bill, take your wife & get out of public life finally. You won't fool anybody.