Did Anyone Else Think Obama Looked A Little Nervous Up On Stage Last Night?

[THUNDER HANDS]

I don't think I need to explain why, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous watching his speech last night.

Just being honest.

[Genevieve]

1. He looked like he just won something and also just lost something -- bittersweet.

[MidwestTransplant]

5. Also probably exhausted.

[creature of habit]

66. emotionally drained......

digging deep for strength.

[kstewart33]

8. Well put.

His behavior wasn't typical of someone who's been elected US president. Not much hurrah there, like he was quite aware of what he has taken on.

[iceman66]

That is understandable,

as he still mourning the loss of his grandmother.

[codjh9]

15. That AND exhaustion - holding up pretty well, considering.

[chimpymustgo]

2. I didn't. I thought his pitch was absolutely perfect.

Now Michelles's dress...

[TBF]

6. Heh. Didn't care for the dress either! Michelle is beautiful

though and I can't wait to see those little girls playing with their puppy on the White House lawn!

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

16. I LOVED THE DRESS

And I have impeccable taste. You'll all catch up with me someday.

:hide:

[kayakjohnny]

27. That' awfully fucking funny. I've been thinking the same thing:

"How effing out of touch is my taste for style, when everyone brings up the dress and I don't get it." I thought it was pretty cool, just like a lot of other stuff she's worn.

[progressivebydesign]

31. I LOVED Michelle's dress.. she has incredible taste and grace.

We are SO lucky to have her for our next First Lady! She will be a trendsetter!

[chimpymustgo]

69. Pardon, but I have impeccable taste. And that dress looked like a Halloween costume.

She look beautiful from the neck up, though.

[TBF]

3. Security may have been a concern... I also thought

perhaps his grandmother's passing was heavy on his heart. Perhaps sadness rather than nervousness? But, yes, I did notice there weren't huge smiles or anything.

[kayakjohnny]

4. I think he looked and sounded humbled. And I certainly would too.

I just love where his ego is at right now.

[anneboleyn]

23. Yes, I think so too -- the crowds and overwhelming outpouring of support for him

I think he felt humbled and also a sense of real seriousness about the work he has to do now as president.

[girl gone mad]

49. That was my impression.

Humbled, not nervous.

[onenote]

7. if he was, it was because he had his wife and kids up there with him

but to be honest, I didn't really sense that he was nervouse. Humbled and awed. Not nervous.

[goclark]

55. My thoughts -- this was not a Rally, it was serious and historic

Every word had to have meaning to the masses.

He also had to look Presidential because he is the President since we now only have a "Resident."

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. Perhaps realizing the prize was now in his hands.

Perfectly natural, if you ask me.

[kayakjohnny]

10. Also, I think he realized he's in some uncharted waters now. It was always about the

running. Now it's about the being there. Whole new mindset.

[texanshatingbush]

11. Not nervous......

......but tired, serious, saddened that his "Toot" was not there to see this.

I also think he wanted not to pump up the frenzy, but to make us realize that this is only the beginning, that now the hard work REALLY begins, and we all still have a big job to do.

[Kdillard]

12. I just think it was something rarely seen in a politician called humility.

It was a huge moment and just the beginning. He has a tremendous task ahead of him.

[Uben]

13. I know what you're gettin at, Magic Rat.........

......I was nervous, too.

He had the whole family up there, so he had reason to be nervous.

[gatorboy]

14. He was cool as a cucumber. I on the other hand was nervous as hell!

[Gin]

21. I thought he was somber.

gin

[FrenchieCat]

17. I found him as confident as ever!

[yourguide]

18. Personally I thought he looked serious.

Very serious.

[grasswire]

19. I thought he looked HUMBLED....

...by the awesome task before him and the trust bestowed on him by the American people. I thought he looked a little overcome, and that's good.

[kayakjohnny]

29. Yes!

[grasswire]

20. I thought he looked HUMBLED....

...by the awesome task before him and the trust bestowed on him by the American people. I thought he looked a little overcome, and that's good.

[kayakjohnny]

33. And yes!

(I can keep going if you can)

[graywarrior]

22. He was filled with mixed emotions

[BrklynLiberal]

28. I agree. He was exhausted, He was exhilarated. He was sad that his Grandmother was not there.

He was in the midst of the realization of what lay ahead of him. He even may have been a bit awed by the size of the crowd that was in front of him...and knowing how important this speech was. He had to appear grateful but not gloating, confident but not cocky, optimistic but not foolhardy.

It may have been the most difficult moment of his life....

[graywarrior]

35. Must be humbling and overwhelming to know we love him as much as he

loves America.

[BrklynLiberal]

51. I am sure that part of his emotions must include being overwhelmed by the outpouring of emotion

by the people around him....

[mtnsnake]

24. Yes, definitely

and I don't think it was because he was so tired because I doubt he would be crashing until the following day. I can't put my finger on it either but he didn't look or sound like his usual self, even though he was still really good with his speech.

[galaxy21]

25. He looked like he'd been crying

I was surprised he didn't start weeping during the speech. Being the first African American president and all.

[yourguide]

26. Personally I thought he looked serious.

Very serious.

[FrenchieCat]

40. He was intense.

[chieftain]

70. That's what I thought serious and somber. After the frat boy

in the WH, I'm happy to see someone who understands the gravity of the situation and his responsibility to lead the country through this nightmare. I thought it was absolutely one of the best speeches he has made.

[GentryDixon]

30. My son thought he looked upset

I was crying so hard I did not pick up on that.

[BrklynLiberal]

32. He looked very focused in the moment...

[blueclown]

34. I had knots in my stomach

For the same reason you likely did.

I am honestly scared for Obama's safety over the next 4 years.

[MorningGlow]

36. So, so serious

I was worried about him. I know he's not one to take a victory lap, even winning the highest office in the land, but he didn't crack one smile after his speech--and usually the crowd can get him to be more chipper. Of course, Biden was smiling enough for the both of him (I LOVE his smile) and managed to get one out of him. I do wonder what was going through his mind.

[etherealtruth]

37. Hell, he had just been elected president of the United States ...

... I would worry if he didn't seem a little nervous!

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

38. I get what you are saying.....I was nervous myself

Trust me......I do. And it's a sad commentary.

[AspenRose]

39. Nervous, no. Serious, yes.

I think he realizes how serious the task is that's before him. Our country is so screwed up.

[WeDidIt]

41. Have you ever been to Grant Park? Do you know why he was speaking behind bullet proof glass?

The stage would be visible from thousands of windows in dozens of buildings up and down Michigan Avenue.

I'm betting the Secret Service was majorly concerned, especially since Sarah Palin's shit increased the credible threat level against the lives of Barack and his family, and he KNEW he HAD to have his wife and daughters come on stage with him.

I bet he wasn't concerned about himself, but was very nervous about his wife and children.

[THUNDER HANDS]

44. i know

I think that's why Michelle's dress was so - um - weird. I think she probably had a bullet-proof vest underneath and needed something that would hide it.

[kestrel91316]

50. That would explain the cardigan that wasn't perhaps very well-chosen for that

dress, and the fabrics weren't a good match. Last-minute addition?

[Peacetrain]

42. Toot... he has lost so much this week, ,,not nervous.. sad

[tosh]

43. Odd, but when he first came on and for a little while,

I was thinking how absolutely relaxed and at ease he seemed. At some point in the speech, I noticed a look on his face that I'd never seen before. It was later replaced, all smiles.

Only today was I struck by the thought that it might have been a security thing, like he'd seen some activity with his SS guys.

[Window]

45. I honestly did not see any nervousness. I thought he was strong, reflective,

articulate and amazing, as usual.

[democrattotheend]

46. I don't think nervous is the right word

I think he seemed a little awed, and humbled, like it was still sinking in. And I think that's how most of us felt. I'm still getting used to hearing "President-Elect Obama", and man, do I love the sound of it!

[kestrel91316]

47. I thought he was his usual incredibly calm self. Maybe just a little fatigue,

and bittersweet emotion about Toot. Not nervous at all.

And I LOVED Michelle's dress (but she shouldn't have added the cardigan).

[trayfoot]

48. No, I actually commented to my husband......

that he looked more relaxed than he had in recent days.

[Orsino]

52. No Ways Tired.

Well, okay, he looked a little tired. He's allowed. :D

I would also hope that he feels a little bit humbled.

[Mr. Sparkle]

53. He looked like he was still grieving for his grandmother ..

from the day before, which is totally understandable!

[Demi_Babe]

54. No, not nervous at all...very humbled and happy and content

[TTUBatfan2008]

56. I thought 3 things...

1. He looked tired.
2. He looked humble.
3. He looked sad. Definitely a bittersweet situation for him this week. :(

[A-Schwarzenegger]

57. Solemn.

[mtnsnake]

58. Yeah, that might be the best way to describe it

I'd have to agree

[stray cat]

59. Just finished a grueling campaign and lost his grandma the day before

bittersweet. Plus he has the inbox from hell on day one.

[Parker CA]

60. I noticed something unusual as well. There was something very different about

his demeanor and facial gestures than I have ever seen previously.

Yes, he just took on perhaps the greatest burden imaginable by becoming our next President. Yes, there was some definite sadness and regret that Toot was not able to see him accepting such an honor on such an historic evening. Yes, there was some emotion that was new to him, triumph on a completely new level, and accomplishment on a scale never before actualized for he or for many others in this world for that matter.

Those issues aside, there was a different sense to the man standing on the stage last night. A look that painted a picture of far greater importance and gravity than anything else he may have felt on an emotional level. I have a feeling there were some security issues, clearly not to a level to shut down the show, but fairly serious issues nonetheless. The bullet proof shield was something he has never had in any speech anywhere, even in Germany in front of nearly a quarter million people. Something was definitely happening beyond the scenes.

From the moment I saw that shield as the pre-speech coverage was being televised, I was nervous. I knew he would be incredibly vulnerable, that his wife and children would also be incredibly vulnerable, but when they walked out, they seemed normal, Jill Biden seemed normal, and the rest of the family seemed unaware of anything but the moment. Barack, on the other hand, carried the sense of something more serious. As he gave his speech and his family left the stage, he began to relax a bit more, but there was still a sense of reservation in comparison to many other speeches he has given, reservation beyond the weight of the moment.

The men and women who have the honor to protect this man and his family were all throughout that crowd, in those trees, on those rooftops, and in places we didn't even know were there. And they did their job. The event went on without incident, at least without incident we are aware of. I have the faith that they will continue to do exactly what they did last night.

Fear cannot hold us back, because fear will not hold back President Barack Obama.

We picked the best man for this job.

[crossroads]

61. Who wouldn't under the same circumstances???

Obama is still human you know? He went through 2 tough years of compaigning... and negated all the crap the McSame campaign threw at him...

He is exhausted and had just lost his dearly beloved Toot!

I felt he held up wonderfully and gave a speech that will be remembered forever! Allow for these things before jumping to conclusions...

I applaud his grace under pressure!
CR

[secondwind]

62. he looked a bit "sober", pondering the weight he would have to carry

[lamp_shade]

63. Nope. I thought he looked and acted quite strong and confident.

[DevonRex]

64. No, not nervous. But he did look very, very serious. Perhaps

a very serious threat on his life and that of his family?

One thing we know: He doesn't get rattled for himself. But he loves his family dearly. And like any father, he would react strongly to anything that might threaten his children.

I was thinking last night that it would be a really good idea for them to live in a closely guarded house until inauguration. How can the Secret Service protect him in his Chicago neighborhood? It doesn't take a lot of imagination to picture various things that the nuts might try.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

65. Not at all.

I thought he was electrified. I thought he spoke to all of us unabashedly. Barack Obama stood tall on that stage and he let his words soar. His acceptance speech will remain one of the best ever delivered.

I wanted to grab his hands and thank him for standing up to the neocon agenda.

I was deeply moved by his speech.

[InvisibleTouch]

67. I didn't see "nervous."

I thought he looked a bit sad (probably thinking of his grandmother), and a bit tired (almost a given, after such a grueling schedule), but every now and again that great smile came out. But it was clear that he knows exactly what he's up against now, how much of a mess he's got to clean up, and the monumental effort it will take. And he was telling the rest of us that we've all got to do our part to help.

[Condem]

68. Well said, Invisible.

Very tired. Up to the challenge, though. More forceful as the speech went on.

[Life Long Dem]

71. He looked like a man that will go down in history as the first African American President.

No one would know what Obama is feeling over this huge historical moment, but Obama himself.