President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama kiss as they dance during the Commander-In-Chief inaugural ball at the Washington Convention Center during the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013 in Washington. /AP Photo/ Evan Vucci
Topping off a long day of inaugural events, newly minted second term President Obama told U.S. armed forces tonight that he has "no greater honor than being your commander in chief."
The president began his three-stop swing through inaugural ball events this evening at the Commander in Chief's Ball, at the Washington Convention Center. "This party is just another way to say something we can never say enough: thank you for volunteering, thank you for stepping up, thank you for keeping us strong, thank you for always making us proud," he said.
Mr. Obama said he wanted to "express the extraordinary gratitude, not just of me as your commander in chief, but the thanks of all the American people." He specifically thanked the senior enlisted offers from all branches of the military, Gen. Martin Dempsey and his deputy Adm. James Winnefeld, Jr., plus wounded warriors, junior enlisted officers, "amazing military families including the families of the fallen," members of the Tuskegee Airmen and recipients of the Medal of Honor.
"It is because of you that we were able to end the war in Iraq," he told the room full of service members, dressed primarily in uniform, and their guests. "Because of you, we delivered justice to Osama bin Laden. Because of you, it is possible to give Afghans a chance to determine their own destiny. We are going forward and we will keep the fighting force that the world has ever known."
He then spoke via videolink to some members on the ground in Afghanistan, and told them "when you get back home, you're gonna be greeted by a grateful nation. And you are gonna be on our minds tonight, and every single night until our mission in Afghanistan is complete."
Inviting his "date," first lady Michelle Obama, to the stage, the president spoke for the second time today about how she "makes me a better man and a better president." The couple took the spotlight for the first dance to Al Green's "Let's Stay Together," performed by Jennifer Hudson, before switching dance partners with members of the military.
The president this year made the decision to downsize the number of official balls from 10 to two. Next on tap for the Obamas is a move down the hall of the convention center, where he will speak - and dance - for two separate floors of the public inaugural ball.
When is he going to get around to honoring the average American who gets up every morning, goes to work, and comes home at night to take care of their kids? Yeah. Right. Exactly what I thought.
skeezix06 "When is he going to get around to honoring the average American". Well he tried! But the republicans fought the idea of having the rich pay their fair share, so taxes went up on almost everyone.
Have you been comatose these last 4 yrs? He does more than talk and honor the average working person. The Lily Ledbetter Act? Obamacare is for the Average Working Joe...certainly not the Romneys of this nation. Keeping Social Security from a voucher program? You really need to re-assess your view.
Michelle didn't look so pretty earlier in the day when she was caught on camera rolling her eyes twice at the Speaker John Boehner. Not only that she would not take time to talk...she was too busy shoveling food into her mouth while hunched over her plates with elbows on table.
Yes they play the part well when they know the camera's are on them.
Yep. Four more years of watching Obama put foxes in charge... oops, CEOs in charge of the government, total avoidance of the word "poverty", and putting republican policies like Romneycare on the table.
It matters not what NASTY OR NEGATIVE comments are made; the bottom line IS THAT Obama IS the President and there IS Absolutely NOTHING that any of you haters can do about it; so say what you will, YOU CAN'T C H A N G E THE FACT THAT: PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS THE TOP MAN IN CHARGE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. And THAT's the one thing YOU CAN NOT CONTROL..like it or not.. SO NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY..... IT WILL NOT CHANGE.
Y'all have some sick comments on this site. Don't you remember Cheney and Bush lying to everyone so they could get into a war that made them a lot of money? Or perhaps you prefer Sarah Palin and her fake baby. Or perhaps John McCain the war hero that got shot down several times and somehow ended up a war hero anyway. How about 9/11? Remember that?
Kkenbob: How do you sleep at night being such a bigot? Sure hope you're not raising children in your own Billy Bob image. Did you ever actually go to a class when you attended school (if you ever did)? Your racism no longer plays in this country, in this century, and never will again. Get over it, and deal with the fact that your fellow (educated) citizens who vote, actually elected a black president not once, but twice, regardless of the color of their own skin, based on their beliefs about his merits towards leading the United States of America vs. his oponents. Guess they went to class when you were doing????
Answer his question: GPA? Not that we would expect a factual answer. If the best you can do is an image of cat vomit, we're all done with you. Case closed.
First of all, President Obama is the President of the USA. He deserves RESPECT! The people had the choice to vote...they chose Obama. Respect democracy and stop being so Republican.
More like just stop being so spiteful, and full of hate and vitriol.
I'll tell yuh, it's getting more and more common on here. Not very tasteful, nor intellectually appetizing.
This interactive service needs to get SERIOUS about restricting the people on here that can't have discussion and debate in a civil and rational manner. I'm not sure how to go about it, but I'm sure there would be a way to actually create JOBS and PAY people to keep the haters the hell out of here. Good for the integrity of the forums, good for the economy, good for the service provider and good for the people who want to be here but not inflame others, nor impose ominous or extreme thought patterns.
I don't know what would be the answer, but for those that have nothing intelligent to say, and over and over again make their presence felt here with completely unprovoked, outrageous comments or otherwise throwing taunts at our leaders, they should be allowed to be thrown off this site and KEPT off. ALL of them.
Tell you what RKJ....try not respecting your boss because he is your boss and see how long you stay employed.....oh sorry...you probable represent part of the 9% unemployment rate anyway.
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Yes they play the part well when they know the camera's are on them.
I'll tell yuh, it's getting more and more common on here. Not very tasteful, nor intellectually appetizing.
This interactive service needs to get SERIOUS about restricting the people on here that can't have discussion and debate in a civil and rational manner. I'm not sure how to go about it, but I'm sure there would be a way to actually create JOBS and PAY people to keep the haters the hell out of here. Good for the integrity of the forums, good for the economy, good for the service provider and good for the people who want to be here but not inflame others, nor impose ominous or extreme thought patterns.
I don't know what would be the answer, but for those that have nothing intelligent to say, and over and over again make their presence felt here with completely unprovoked, outrageous comments or otherwise throwing taunts at our leaders, they should be allowed to be thrown off this site and KEPT off. ALL of them.