Obama gets emotional talking to campaign staff
(CNN) - Video of President Barack Obama's visit Wednesday to his campaign headquarters in Chicago shows the newly re-elected commander in chief becoming emotional while heralding the hard work of his young staffers.
"I am absolutely confident that all of you are going to do amazing things in your lives," Obama says in the video, which was posted on his campaign's official Youtube page Thursday.
In his brief speech to the young crowd, Obama drew parallels to the work his team had just finished and the community organizing post he took up when he first moved to the Windy City at 25, saying his campaign team was "so much better than I was" at accomplishing their goals.
Toward the end of his five-minute-long remarks, Obama got choked up telling the staffers how proud he was of their hard work.
"Even before last night's results, I felt that the work I had done in running for office had come full circle. Because what you guys have done means that the work I am doing is important. And I'm really proud of that. I'm really proud of you," Obama said, wiping away tears.
The show of emotion - extremely rare for Obama - was met with loud applause.
"What you guys have accomplished will go in the annals of history," Obama said.
At his final campaign rally Monday in Iowa, a few tears rolled down Obama's cheek as he delivered his last stump speech.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, speaking on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight," said he found Obama's emotional display in the campaign video "incredibly moving."
"Putting aside whose side you're on, who you voted for, to see a president of the United States being that raw, that emotional with his campaign volunteers and to see Barack Obama openly weeping at one stage, very unusual, very moving," said Patrick, a Democrat.
Dan Rather, the former CBS anchor, said the moment was "unique in the history of the American presidency."
"I'm not sure there has ever been any American president, perhaps no world leader that I know of in my lifetime, who has come out with that raw emotion in a very attractive way," Rather said on CNN. "Again, whether you like his politics or not, for a lot of people this is going to be a case of ‘the ice man cracketh’ because he had this image of President Barack Obama as cool, ice water in his veins kind of person, and he can be that way."
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This is a real leader who cares about people. Let's move forward Thank you Mr. President
Obama's team can pretty much write their own ticket. Only a fool would turn away people who helped the president get elected twice. THANK YOU CAMPAIGN WORKERS AND CONGRATS ON A JOB WELL DONE
I just watched this video and I almost cried myself but I couldn't because I cried too much on Tuesday. We love you Mr. President and this just makes us love you even more, it also shows you're human, caring, appreciative and that it was time to let go.
God Bless you and keep you and your family safe.
Thank you Mr. President for being worthy and appreciative of their hard work. God bless you through the next 4 years it won't be easy but we know you will do it because we believe in you and the best is yet to come. Thank you for bringing us this far through one of the most difficult times in our history we are all going forward with the grace of God and gritty determination.
That's why I love this guy. And I'm Canadian.
This is a man that cares about people, it doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, or who you love! He is sincere and he is truly standing by the middle class. The republican party better wake up and smell the coffee, the more they degrade minorities, women, gays, and the less fortunate, the less likely they will ever win the national election. The POTUS was re-elected in an econonmy on the brinks because the majority knows he will fight for us against all odds. God bless the POTUS and his ambition to do the right thing for America!
I love my President!
A message to the young people:
President Obama in 2008 When he was running for president – I will bring the people of American together and work in a bipartisan manner.
President Obama as president – "Vote for revenege" & "Punish your enemies" These are quotes in which Obama is talking about independents & republicans that disagree with his policies! Can you believe that this is our president saying these things! I "hope" you are happy who you voted for!
A message to the young people:
President Obama in 2008 When he was running for president – I will bring the people of American together and work in a bipartisan manner.
President Obama as president – "Vote for revenege" & "Punish your enemies" These are quotes in which Obama is talking about independents & republicans that disagree with his policies! Can you believe that this is our president saying these things! I "hope" you are happy who you voted for!
In an important way, America is blessed. You always can find and position a few good men – and now women – to lead your country in times of need. Your President is certainly one of those good men! And the dramatically changing times present a great need for thoughtful leadership.
Stop yo cryin' and PAY OFF THE DEBT! I do it with my credit card every month. I demand you do it now. Otherwise you should be cryin' in jail for what you're doing to this country.
Yes I cried also after I realized he was unfortunately going to win... Say goodbye to the great shining republic we once were, hello to socialist europe.
What a sign of weakness. What an embarrassment. I can't picture Washington doing this.
Mr. President, you've had our back, and we've got yours.
Blessed be Mr. President!
How human
Obama, you rock!
So proud to call him my President.
A president strong enough to show his tears is a president strong enough to lead a nation. Shine on you crazy diamond.
*rolls eyes*
Best of Luck Mr. President! Best of Luck. The American People Has Your and The Entire Country's Back!!
Just keeping it real.....Thanks President Obama.
You didn't build that campaign
A good man. I'm glad he is the American president.
Long live King of Democracy,Presidet reelect Barack Obama.