Taking his exit, Obama says presidency proved hope wins out
ASSOCIATED PRESS
First lady Melania Trump stood with President Donald Trump as former President Barack Obama kissed the hand of his wife Michelle Obama, during a departure ceremony on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol, today, in Washington.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Former president Barack Obama waved as he boarded a Marine helicopter on the East Front of the Capitol, today, in Washington, after Donald Trump was inaugurated.
WASHINGTON >> Former President Barack Obama exited the presidency today with a message of gratitude to Americans and a plea to his supporters not to be bowed by the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
“You proved the power of hope,” Obama said before departing Washington as a newly minted ex-president.
In a farewell speech at Andrews Air Force Base before boarding the presidential plane for the last time, Obama said he’d been met by skepticism and doubt throughout his eight years in office by some who “didn’t think we could pull it off.” Obama said his supporters had transcended the obstacles posed by entrenched political powers by finding bonds of unity with Americans of all stripes.
He called that kind of fortitude “hope in the face of difficulty.”
“Michelle and I, we’ve just been your front-men and women,” Obama said. “It has always been about you, and all the amazing things that happened over these last 10 years are really just a testament to you.”
Then Obama, a broad grin on his face, said goodbye to a crowd of 1,800 gathered to bid him farewell. He stopped to give hugs and handshakes to staffers and military members who had served his administration over two terms.
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His last day in office started like any other: in the White House residence with his family. Yet by mid-morning, Obama and his wife were welcoming Trump and incoming first lady Melania Trump to the White House for a reception before accompanying them to the Capitol for Trump’s swearing-in.
If Obama was feeling bitter about Trump’s victory, it didn’t show. He wrote a welcome note to Trump that he left in the Oval Office, and smiled as he stood alongside Trump at his swearing-in.
“This is just a little pit stop,” Obama said minutes later at the air base. “This is not a period, this is a comma in the continuing story of being an American.”
Trump, too, avoided any negativity about the man whose citizenship he once questioned.
“We are grateful to President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout this transition,” Trump said in his inaugural address. “They have been magnificent.”
Obama and his wife boarded a helicopter and flew to the air force base to speak to supporters in an airplane hangar. He and Mrs. Obama then walked a red carpet up to the steps of the presidential aircraft that ferried him on so many trips around the world. This time, though, it was designated a “special mission” instead of Air Force One, because the sitting president was not on board.
Obama and his family were to arrive later today in Palm Springs, California, where they’ll have their first vacation as private citizens. The Obamas will return on an unspecified date to Washington. The family has rented a home where they plan to live until youngest daughter Sasha finishes high school.
There was one final throwback to Obama’s celebrated campaign chant as he exited the national stage. It started as a shout from supporters as Obama arrived at a base, then was repeated by the president as he finished his speech.
“Yes we did,” Obama said. “Yes we can.”
13 responses to “Taking his exit, Obama says presidency proved hope wins out”
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Bully!
Obama doesn’t get it. Out with the old, in with the new.
Shaka Baraka!
LOL
It’s a darn shame. Barry had a golden opportunity to Make America Great. He had near universal support of the media, popular culture and even a lot of conservatives 8 years ago. He could have brought America together and worked with the opposition. Instead he squandered his opportunity by engaging in petty social justice issues, racial division and payback for America’s alleged “sins”. He took the side of America’s traditional enemies and kicked her allies to the curb. By acting out in the childish way that he did he unwittingly ushered in almost total control of the country by the republican party.
@ CEI
Agree…BO could’ve been a decent potus.
Agree with CEI. A much more divided country. And scandals along the way: the Benghazi attack and cover-up, the IRS scandal, the AP phone records scandal, the Sestak Job offer scandal, the GSA scandal, the NSA scandal, the Iran nuclear deal and ransom, the VA scandal, the Pigford scandal, the Bergdahl swap, various EPA scandals, etc. Obama was good in giving speeches and signing executive orders … which Trump can just as easily feed into the shredder.
@ BO
“Taking his exit, Obama says presidency proved hope wins out”.
I agree with BO…POTUS D. J. Trump won out!
#MAGA has begun!
when nebama left in the helicopter back to Andrews the copter flew over the city one more time before maobama heads back to California, on cnn reporting the people below waved good by to nerobama with a one finger salute which he deserved for a final farewell.
lets just say the middle finger salute
So Obama is taking another vacation at taxpayers’ expense. Cut him off already.
“Taking his exit, Obama says presidency proved hope wins out”
Waited eight years for his fancy politically correct rhetoric to amount to something special. It finally did. Donald J. Trump turned out to be the answer to his legacy.
Thank you BHO for your service and giving me hope by delivering president Trump to America.
Progressives can no longer rely on the guiding hand of Dear Leader. Now they are rudderless and totally disoriented. Some of them acted out violently at the inauguration which should come as no surprise. They’re like small children whose parents (democrats) allow them to throw tantrums when they don’t get their way.
Where the heck are the naysayers today? Too many pain killers?