Barack Obama gave brief farewell remarks to staff and supporters and Joint Base Andrews before departing in a plane for Palm Springs, California.
“Michelle and I have really been milking this goodbye thing,” the former President cracked before launching into his remarks.
“I said before and I will say again that when we started on this journey, we did so with an abiding faith in the American people and their ability, our ability to join together and change the country in ways that would make life better for our kids and our grandkids,” he said. “That change did not happen from the top down, it happened from the bottom up.”
Obama toasted the crowd for their belief in the Democratic process and their support of his campaigns and presidential administration.
“Some folks did not think we could pull it off,” he said. “There were those who felt that the institutions of power and privilege in this country were to deeply entrenched and yet, all of you came together in small towns and big cities, a whole bunch of you really young, and you decided to believe.”
“Our democracy is to the buildings. Our democracy is not the monuments,” he added. “It’s you, being willing to work to make things better and being willing to listen to each other and argue with each other, and come together and knock on doors and make phone calls.”
Hopefully Washington DC will still be there when you get back from your well deserved vacation, sir.
Only one thing to do
Crank up that Music
For Starters
Out Of The Cold"
The day fell down, the air got cold
I walked out in the street
Daydreamed for a mile or two
Staring at my feet like a working boy
Out of luck, falling through the cracks
night rolled in, I turned back home
A hard wind at my back
[Chorus:]
I’m out in the cold, body and soul
There’s nowhere to go
I’m out in the cold
When I woke up my brain was stunned
I could not come around
I reached out to grab my keys
And tumbled to the ground
I thought of you starry-eyed, I wonder where we stand?
Did I just fall from your arms
Down into your hands?
[Chorus]
I’m standing in a door-way
I’m out walking 'round, hands in my pockets
Let the long list of executive orders undoing former President Obama’s legacy begin…NOW!
Welcome to California, Mr. President and First Lady. We’re celebrating your arrival with lots of rain and snow.
He also said … and I was taken by it …
" This is not a ’ period’, it is only a ’ comma ’ " —
He plans to fight on ! —