January 11, 2017
In what's being touted as an emotional farewell address, President Barack Obama thanked Americans and offered insight into an encouraging future during his last speech as the nation's leader Tuesday night in Chicago.
Obama boasted about a drastically reduced unemployment rate, costs of health care that are rising "at the slowest rate in 50 years" and defeating Osama Bin Laden during the course of his eight-year presidency.
In the hourlong tearful address, Obama also recognized that there's still much to be done and guaranteed President-elect Donald Trump a smooth transition. Trump will be inaugurated Jan. 20.
And because this is 2017, many, including a handful of the city and state's most powerful people, took to Twitter to share their thoughts and feelings about the speech.
Both Mayor Jim Kenney and City Council President Darrell Clarke had the same message for the president.
Thanks, Mr. President. Just thanks. Uncle Joe, everyone loves you. To the Obama's and the Biden's,we love you and wish best wishes to all. ❤
— Jim Kenney (@JimFKenney) January 11, 2017
To which one person responded:
@JimFKenney I love the soda tax
— Mayo Man (@MayoMan12) January 11, 2017
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. #ObamaFarewell
— Darrell Clarke (@Darrell_Clarke) January 11, 2017
Bittersweet. Grateful for his service and to have witnessed a hope-filled chapter of history #ObamaFarewell https://t.co/cPM60Rm7kR
— Darrell Clarke (@Darrell_Clarke) January 11, 2017
Jane Roh, City Council's communications director, joined in the conversation, while Councilperson At-Large Blondell Reynolds Brown stuck mostly to retweets and quotes from the president.
Having a POTUS who acknowledged this was revolutionary #ObamaFarewell https://t.co/UfCI74zRVu
— Jane Roh (노진이) (@Jane_Roh) January 11, 2017
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 https://t.co/H0VavOpljE
— Blondell R. Brown (@CouncilwomanBRB) January 11, 2017
"Show up. Dive in. Stay at it". #ObamaFarewell
— Blondell R. Brown (@CouncilwomanBRB) January 11, 2017
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed off with a similar message Tuesday night.
Thank you Barack Obama for your incredible service to our great people and our great nation. -TW #ObamaFarewell
— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) January 11, 2017
We tried to find if any Philly Republicans had something to say on social media but came up short. The Philly GOP did retweet Chris Stigall, host of Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, who may have summed up what others were thinking.
A man of such talent closes his presidency the same way he first ran. Inspirational and aspirational, but never delivered. Just divided.
— Chris Stigall (@ChrisStigall) January 11, 2017
Most POTUS' talk about their readiness to leave the spotlight. Obama's fingernails will scrape the doorframe as he's dragged from it.
— Chris Stigall (@ChrisStigall) January 11, 2017
Didn't get to watch the full address last night? See what you missed below.
