I've noticed that only one thing consistently makes Obama get emotional:

[Bicoastal]

His family.

Lots of incidents, some from a Newsweek article I just finished reading, and some from my own personal observation--

*At a book party for "Audacity of Hope" in 2006, he started talking about how his Senate career was keeping him away from his family, and "he began crying so hard, he couldn't go on."

*During a pre-Iowa debate, he talked about taking a few hours off to go Christmas tree shopping with his kids, sandwiched between campaigning and flying to Washington--and his voice broke with emotion.

*While introducing Joe Biden as his VP, he mentioned the accident which claimed Biden's wife and daughter, nothing that he greatly admired his perseverance in recovering from such a tragedy.

*In a TV interview, after being asked about the last time he shed tears, he spoke about celebrating Malia's birthday on the road...and said, "It chokes me up right now, talking about it."

*He paused his campaign to fly to Hawaii and spend a few final days with his grandmother, and openly wept onstage on Election Eve while talking about her memory.

This is a guy who supposedly didn't bat an eye after being told he had just been elected President of the US--but clearly values being a good father and husband above all other concerns. This may sound treacly, but I feel safe knowing that we elected someone whose priorities are in the right order.

[uppityperson]

1. k&r for speaking the truth.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. yep. I knew that would be the answer..

He is a good and decent man.

[DrPresident]

3. indeed k&r

[motocicleta]

4. K n R

That is exactly why he has my undying support.

[Triana]

5. K & R for REAL family values and a President..

...who lives them.

[No Elephants]

6. He is doing this for his kids. And for all African American kids. And for all kids who are not

African American. I've seen photos from the campaign trail where he is emotional about a kid he never met before.

[reggie the dog]

7. I agree.

I think we elected a real human president again. I honestly did not get that feeling with Bill. Nor Pappy, Nor Ronnie. You have to go back to Carter to find another real human in my opinion.

[Honeycombe8]

8. True. nt

[eshfemme]

9. Yeah, he's a TOTAL sucker for his kids. It's a good thing though to see in a President

It means that he's constantly grounded in the right mentality and that there are real consequences for him should he err in his governance of the country. Also, it shows how precious his girls are to him and why he has a stake in America's future.

[Shanti Mama]

10. Think about his past, his family growing up.

He was tossed around a lot. Nothing normal about his childhood. I would imagine he's torn between giving his family a normal life and pursuing his destiny of greatness. I wonder if he's ever been in therapy.

[Burma Jones]

11. A big reason I admire Obama......

He really seems to have a very very healthy Psyche for someone that wants to be President.....

[Froward69]

12. 20th rec...

Damn straight!!! I get emotional I suspect just as Obama does. as here at the start of renewing and changing America for the better.(the way it always should have been) our forefathers/mothers did not live to see this day. the day they fought for... the day they sacrificed for... the day they raised us to achieve.

Is is a Burden not of guilt but of joy and sadness at the same time.

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. Honoring his base. Nothing wrong with that.

[Duppers]

14. now I'm going to cry -- yet again

I love this man.

[ecstatic]

15. I just saw the clip of him with Couric talking about wanting to spend more time

with Toot after the election. :(

I know his heart must be broken right now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_-bvYzW_DA&feature=related