Obama Toasts Away His Presidency With Tears and Thanks
WASHINGTON — With just hours left in his presidency, Barack Obama toasted about 30 of his closest advisers in the private second-floor residence of the White House — one final chance for a departing president to say goodbye.
Champagne flute in hand, Mr. Obama offered a rare peek at his family’s quarters on Thursday night, by then already stripped of personal artwork that had hung for years. Mr. Obama showed off the Gettysburg Address and a bust of Winston Churchill, and the group lingered until about 11 p.m. on the Truman Balcony, overlooking the National Mall where thousands would gather the next morning for Donald J. Trump’s inauguration.
Those who celebrated then with Mr. Obama — and gathered again on Friday with about 2,000 political appointees at Joint Base Andrews — were the truest of the believers during eight years in which hope was repeatedly tested and change often proved difficult.
“For all of you who have just done amazing, remarkable work, most of it unheralded, most of it without fanfare, most of it without you getting any word of thanks, we could not be prouder of you,” Mr. Obama said before leaving for a family vacation in Palm Springs, Calif.
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