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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- Untitled
Our country has chosen its leader, now is the time to stand behind our president and show the rest of the world that we are a diverse nation not a divided nation and what our country is really about.
I am not surprised by this... he is a very caring man and he has shown it in many ways. I am proud that he is my President.
All I want to know is,why you The President of The United States went on T.V. and told the World a lie? Based on what you yourself said and VP Biden said and SOS Clinton said and your chosen scapegoat said .You had to have lied.Why?
wow, it really hit home & it most be surreal to think that he really did make a difference and will continue to in the lives of the next generation.
Oh please...it will be us who cries at what he has in store for the USA.
I'm a proud Canadian, but for the first time in my life, I actually, dare I say....ENVY an American (!!!) President. I wish we could get somebody like that for OUR country! So genuine, emotional and human. Who knows, maybe when Mr. Obamas' term expires, he can come over here? I can't believe I just wholeheartedly welcomed an American President to our country! I know your country isn't in the best shape; change takes time, but be proud you have a man like that you can call a leader. Wish he had a clone.
this is why obama is the right guy for the job .. he cares .. he genuinely cares!
when he thinks of all the evil rich people he is going to screw over, it makes him choke up a bit. evil evil rich people.
real man and the true leader of the world! he inspires!
I believe him.
Tax the greedy billionaires, now!
Now it is the time to heal the wounds and do what is good for the country
That reminds me of a homeboy getting picked on...and the bullies got a whopping...watch out Robpublicans...we are watching and waiting for that Robpublican bully to come out...just one more time now...one more time...come on...smirk...
Pres. Obama is a sensitive man. I feel like he was good to his people who helped with his campaign. I am so very thankful and greatful to God that President Obama was re-elected.
Proud of you mister P R E S I D E N T!
Jesus... exactly how is this news?
Why not direct resources away from stupid stories like this and actually cover the Libya situation, or FEMA's horrible response to Sandy?
I absolutely love President Obama for his show of being a down to earth human being with compassion, appreciation, courage, wisdom and a fine gentleman. Go forward Mr President. You and your political family, and your real family, Michelle and your beautiful daughters are forever in my prayers. May God continue to hold you up. Congratulations the best wish to continue what you started.
AAwwwwhhhhh ... soo moving
We should sopport our Dear Leqer what. To do different ts disreptifuctule and that is not accebtabble.
Dear Mr. President,
I don't know if the people you were addressing to were inspired from your speech or from your work; but I can definitely tell you that I was moving – your work and your speech will shape my future work that I will do and decision that I will take from today to the days or years to come.
Mr. President, you said you were really proud of all of them, but its actually YOU, that we are all proud of.
Thank you!
God bless you and your family.
– someone from Canada.
Very moving. The president proves that its okay for (strong) men to cry. It does not diminish us; it humanizes us.
Aww mr. President, WE LOVE YOU!!!!! You are an inspiring beautiful man, with a beautiful family and im honored to have casted my vote for you!!!!!
Thank you Mr. President
Obama makes me proud to be an American
What an amazing time to be an unbiased, emotionally intelligent, non-judgmental, real American and human being. Finally proud of our leaders and at least a good chunk of our people. This is the real America you better get used to it.