AP photo of POTUS yesterday- it tugs at my heart strings.

[Mira]

After cancelling his appearance at a morning campaign rally in Orlando, Fla., President Barack Obama walks toward the White House in a driving rain Monday. Obama returned to Washington to monitor preparations for early response to Hurricane Sandy on Monday.

When I take a look at this, and think of the hours, the energy and care extended and the grueling work all the way around, it makes me humble and grateful to our President for his dedication to his obligations to the country and to us.
This photo shows that it is not at all easy, if you take it seriously, no matter how fancy being the President can look at times.
Just sayin'.






edited to fix typo

[liberal N proud]

1. That photo defines him as a President.

It is in his face, the pain Americans were about to endure was all right there.

[BlueCaliDem]

51. My son showed me this one on his cell phone

I know that of Obama is real, but not sure about the Willard one because according to Mediaite, it's fake. But then again, Mediaite is a rightwing site.

[Aristus]

55. What do you want on your tombstone?

Goodbye, motherfuckerrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[arcane1]

57. Indeed, it's like they don't even bother to try anymore

I suspect this one isn't even old enough to vote

[Aristus]

58. Can you alert on him?

My alert button doesn't work...

[Coyotl]

61. Tombstoned. Wonder what name he/she will pick next,

and how much they are getting paid per hour, if they get benefits, and how hot it is in New Delhi

[freshwest]

63. He and all his trash are gone. Disgusting.

[CJCRANE]

59. Step away from Fox News.

You can do it. You'll feel better.

[johnlucas]

89. Amen.

That's what you call not just looking Presidential but BEING Presidential.

His 2nd term will exceed what was done in his 1st.
It will be much better.
John Lucas

[polichick]

2. His is a job I would hate - bless him for hanging in there...

...in spite of a nationwide case of delusion and idiocy.

[tblue37]

70. I am severely hearing impaired, so I am a

good lip-reader. On Inauguration Day, as the Obamas saw the Bushes onto the plane, and W was hugging Michelle goodbye, he said, "You're going to have the time of your lives--I promise!"

At the time it drove home to me that for W the job was just an ego trip, a chance to be the center of attention amidst all that pomp and circumstance. Since Cheney and his evil minions did all the heavy lifting, W never even had to stay up past his famously early bedtime, even during crises.

For Mitt and Queen Ann, it is similarly about their desire to occupy center stage and be admired. They feel it is their "right." Ann even once said."It's our turn"!

[polichick]

76. Maybe that's why so many Republicons hate the President...

...they're jealous of his authenticity.

[treestar]

3. Compares to the rain photo after his grandmother died

Just before the 2008 election, there was a pic of him in the rain campaigning. Now there is one of him working as President.

[Care Acutely]

4. All those wonderful thngs you just said +

Damn, that man looks good.

[gateley]

5. Unlike Bush, or Romney, Obama is truly concerned about the safety of the people.

It tugs at my heart, too, because there's only so much he can do, and you know he will feel more could have been done.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

71. what you said.

and, what someone else said: Four more years! We need him!


oh dang, I'm getting choked up and teary now...........

[ann---]

6. Four More Years!!

We need him.

[arcane1]

7. And to think, I spent yesterday warm and dry and lazy, and got 8 hours of pure sleep

In other words, I did what Bush would've done if he was still prez.

VERY impressed with the president this week!

[OKNancy]

8. Please don't trash me...

But he looks Lincolnesque. Lanky, worn and with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
( OK.. I know this storm is nothing near like what Lincoln faced, but that was my first thought)

[gabeana]

12. mine too

[uponit7771]

19. Great description

[siligut]

41. Remember President Obama's convention speech?

He quoted Abe, "I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day."

Or at least he para-quoted part of it, and I completely believe him.

[The Wielding Truth]

78. This should be the quote under this picture. Thank you. He is so humble and wise.

[siligut]

79. Truly profound as I cannot think of a better person for the job

The problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are so sure of themselves, while wise men are full of doubt. --Bertrand Russell

But you know, I believe it has something to do with the depth of the responsibility and ambition Obama feels toward our country. He believes, with work, that so many of the problems, like homelessness and oppression can be overcome. He is too good for people like the Romneys and the idiots in Congress and maybe that is part of why they want to make him fail. They can see how far they have fallen when he is around.

[uponit7771]

56. +1!

[freshwest]

64. I'd say so. He's been worked to the bone. That takes an iron will to carry on. Thanks, Obama.

[polly7]

69. That was my first thought too.

It's a very touching photo.

[Lex]

9. Abe Lincoln-esque.

[12AngryBorneoWildmen]

16. No, Blanche Lincoln-esque.

[dionysus]

44. .

[ieoeja]

73. Obama has more in common with Thomas Jefferson.

They were both Presidents 104 years from the last time the Chicago Cubs won a World Series.

[laruemtt]

10. i love him so much. woke up from

bad dream the other morning - the election had gone "wrong" and i was screaming and crying, "Please don't take him from us! Please don't take him from us!" very terrifying feeling.....

[vankuria]

24. Feel the same way

the thought of not having him as our Pres. 4 more years is terrifying. This country needs Obama, he is a good man and will go down in history as one of our greatest presidents!

[siligut]

39. I am having dreams about the election too

Stay strong, that is all I can say

[dropboss11]

46. I can relate

I had a dream one night Romney boasting he had the election all wrapped up, and in the dream I came online to find sites like DU and other liberal websites...and could not locate any. It was not exactly a nightmare, but when I woke up I was motivated to contribute to the Obama campaign and go and vote early. GA likely will go Romney...but at least I cast my vote for Obama.

[sheshe2]

11. He carries the weight of 100% of this country on his shoulders!

Let us help him shoulder some of that weight!

I Love this Man!

[shraby]

13. Romney would have someone carrying an umbrella for him as would other republicans.

[Inuca]

20. That was my first thought as well

Small things like that can say a lot about a person

[Wind Dancer]

27. Agree completely.

Obama was campaigning in Virginia when it started to pour down rain and he got soaked. The crowd couldn't believe how down to earth he acted during that event.

[CaliGal]

50. That was my thought exactly!

There is NO WAY Romney would get that hair wet! OMG, unthinkable!
We cannot loose this man of principles and integrity!

[treestar]

67. +1

So true.

[Rob H.]

75. Absolutely

Romney would be surrounded by a small army of servants, suck-ups, handlers, and hangers-on. It does my heart a lot of good to see that we have a responsible, caring man back in the White House after 8 long years of Dubya. I know the state in which I live (TN) will go to Romney, but I happily voted early for Obama, just like I did in the 2008 primaries and the general election that year.

[We People]

14. Thank you - He's working his heart out for ALL the people

and carries such heavy responsibilities on his shoulders.

He also works WITH us in partnership for that huge community call the United States of America. He gets it that the government is of, for, and by the people, and has illustrated that throughout these 4 years. America needs him for four more to rebuild our nation.

[BlueDemKev]

15. Now that is a TRUE Leader!

Someone who cares about ALL Americans, not just the privileged few.

[Whisp]

17. I love you, Mr. President. So does my daughter

and other relatives and friends.

We think of you often and wish you the best and thank you so much for your hard and honest work.

[sammytko]

18. Hope he doesn't get sick! n/t

[CTyankee]

33. He's looking awfully thin...or is it just that photo?

[SaveAmerica]

21. Add to that the massive amount of hate and obstructionism sent his way

over the years and he still goes on and with such strength. I'd be good to have just half of what he's got going on.

[siligut]

42. Unbelievable

Not one of those assholes is anywhere near as strong, but do you think they would respect him? Say, we gave it all we got and he won? Bunch of buttheads.

[FailureToCommunicate]

22. "Hi honey, I'm HOME"

"Honey? Oh, right Michelle's out campaigning..."

GOTV so we may have 4 more years!

[Orbit1]

23. He is so one of us. Getting' soaked in the storm.

[DirtyDawg]

25. Whatayabet...

...Romney would have some Marine walking with - or just behind and to the right - him, holding an umbrella? Not now, of course, that wouldn't look too good during the campaign, just if he were to become President.

[think_critically]

26. That pretty much sums up the last 4 years

Pretty powerful and shows how despite the storms he has kept moving us forward. It'll really be a shame if
Romney wins this election.

[Wind Dancer]

28. Great photo!

This image speaks volumes - thanks for sharing.

K & R

[ThatsMyBarack]

29. Dumbya is eating cake somewhere....

[MynameisBlarney]

32. OUTRAGEOUS!

Everyone knows dumbya is eating paste somewhere. With paint chips.

[HopeHoops]

30. Where's that "Miss me yet" picture of the shrub when you need it.

[heaven05]

31. I hope

he's eating lots of garlic. allicin is everything!

[Botany]

34. That is the walk of man who wants to get shit done ....

I doubt he noticed the cold rain and wind that much and was thinking
about what he had to do to get the job done. And I would imagine his
strides were long and purposeful and he was at work w/ in 15 minutes of
being in the White House.

[EnviroBat]

35. There are times when I would like to be able to put my arm around him

and let him know that there are people out here that admire, respect and love him for the job he does.

[AAO]

36. A completely thankless job (except for some Dems).

And such a burden to carry! Thank you so much, Mr. President!!

[Smilo]

37. Obama is the man

and he is a wonderful leader.

[Andy Stanton]

38. Romney Would Have Someone Holding an Umbrella Over Him

[Mira]

43. and minions rolling out a red carpet n/t

[Chorophyll]

40. Lovely. So glad we have him.

Let's keep him!

[siligut]

45. "Obama Hasn't Got The Good Sense To Get Out Of The Rain" Fox News

"Now back to pictures of the storm, oh, here is one where the wind blew a woman's clothes off."

[onethatcares]

47. just thinking about

how much this country weighs on his mind.

I know he's not the perfect president and at times he pisses me off to no end, but

I KNOW HE IS A MILLION TIMES BETTER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE.

GO OBAMA

[Grammy23]

65. Yes, and the fact that he does occasionally piss some of us off or disappoint us is a sign

that he is governing the 100 % of us. If he pleased US all of the time, that would mean he disappointed or pissed off other people 100% of the time. No person could keep this entire nation happy 100% of the time. So the fact that he is making us happy some of the time and aggravating us other times should be comfort to us that he really is working very hard to be even handed and respond to the needs of the people, as best he can, given the diverse and varied things we all want. Some of those things are in EXACT OPPOSITION to one another so the task of keeping us from rioting in the streets is delicate and takes finesse. That is what I so appreciate about this man.

It does upset me that he has had to stop his campaigning at such a crucial time but do understand that the job comes before the campaign. If it was my part of the country under siege (and we have faced the exact same situation) I would want him to do his job as president and leave the campaign to his team while he tends to much more important things! I am glad he has the kind of moral conviction to do the right thing, even though the very future of his Presidency is on the line!! It is clear to me that Mr. Romney does NOT have the right kind of moral compass to do what is right since he has shown us over and over he will do or say anything to get elected. Shameful, but that's just the way he is. Glad we have a better candidate and President to re-elect!!

[johnlucas]

92. Excellent comment!

It's what I had to realize when I got angry at Obama.
What he's doing is working slowly but surely.
I have to have more patience.
This whole time with Obama as President has been a learning moment for me.
John Lucas

[madokie]

48. We are lucky people to have such a man in the oval office

and the world is better for it

[Gemini Cat]

49. This is what a president looks like. nt

[skeewee08]

60. Thank you Mr. President.......

[Cha]

62. Thank you, President Obama! For you and your Team's Leadership Response to Hurricane Sandy

President Barack Obama receives an update from officials via video teleconference on the ongoing response to Hurricane Sandy, in the Situation Room of the White House, Oct. 30, 2012. Pictured, from left, are: John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism; Tony Blinken, National Security Advisor to the Vice President; David Agnew, Director for Intergovernmental Affairs; Alyssa Mastromonaco, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations; and Chief of Staff Jack Lew. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

http://theobamadiary.com/

Thanks Mira for your pic of the President going to do his job.

[madamesilverspurs]

66. The same walk in the rain, Romney version...

-

[Mira]

68. cackling happening here n/t

[gkhouston]

72. Reason #1 we should re-elect Obama: he's actually willing to do the job.

Anybody here think Romney would roll up his sleeves and handle all the day-to-day tasks a President should?

[cash__whatiwant]

74. bump!nt

[Swede Atlanta]

77. This should be his Presidential photo.....

A man walking in the driving rain...no "attendant" with an umbrella... a man on a mission to monitor the development of an unprecedented natural disaster (Bush had the same challenge with Katrina), pre-plan the resources and logistics for a response, coordinate with state and local officials and rally the "team".

Obama is an amazing man. He weathers the racism, criticism, etc. with a smile and resolve.

He is worthy of leadership whereas "sorry I'm on a mission in France to try to convince the French that God is actually Elohim who lives near the planet Kolob" is all about shirking responsibility and fleecing everyone in his sights.

[progressivebydesign]

80. THAT is the ma you want on your sides when disaster strikes.

Cannot believe that Ann Romney has said repeatedly that we "need a grown up in the White House," again.

[Chiquitita]

88. By "grown up" conservatives mean something very specific:

they mean someone who understands corruption, puts up with it and is a good old boy.

[BelgianMadCow]

81. Compare to Bush* NOLA flyover photo

,a staged photo whose insincerity was blatant. The picture of the President seems pretty candid and indeed shows a man with a mission. You know, not the kind that forgets what briefing he got on the 18th of August.

Campaign gold, too. Your reactions in this thread prove it.

I'll be a bit blunt and say that ever since the evildoers got reappointed in the treasury dept, I find all the president's achievements to be of second order to that. But that doesn't mean they are minor. He'd have my vote in a heartbeat, and I can only hope Sandy doesn't bring down the vote. If a majority of Americans elects Romney, I would really despair.

Good vibes to all affected by the storm,
take care
bmc

[CoffeeCat]

82. I love President Obama...

I haven't agreed with every decision. However, he is one of the good people.

I hope he has a successful second term.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

83. He looks like he's a fighter against The Matrix.

[Avalux]

84. You can see he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

And no umbrella. Oh.

We must give him four more years. We must.

[Joglo10]

85. First time I voted in a general election,

Was in2008.i voted for president Obama.i will be voting for him again in2012.

[Beartracks]

86. "Preparations for early response." So of course...

... Brownie criticizes the President for responding too early.



What an idiot.

=================

[deutsey]

87. K&R

[catbyte]

90. I don't think I've ever respected a President more than I respect President Obama.

The grace, dignity, and fortitude has displayed in light of the incessant barrage of hate, obstructionism and negativity spewed at him by the GOP is remarkable. I am glad he is my President.

Oh, I also had my first election nightmare last night. It actually woke me up.

[Mira]

91. They were rough on Clinton (pre-Monica)

but nothing like what Obama has had to suffer. His grace under pressure has become legendary.
"Keep calm and vote Obama" is my motto, and I also put it on my car.