President Barack Obama will deliver a farewell address to Americans on Jan. 10 in Chicago, the White House announced Monday, allowing him to define his record before a national audience once more before Donald Trump takes office.
Not every U.S. president has delivered a farewell speech, but several leaders – George Washington and Dwight Eisenhower, among them – have used the forum to issue cautionary warnings even as successors with somewhat different visions were preparing to assume the presidency.
In an email to supporters, Obama wrote, “I’m just beginning to write my remarks. But I’m thinking about them as a chance to say thank you for this amazing journey, to celebrate the ways you’ve changed this country for the better these past eight years, and to offer some thoughts on where we all go from here.”
Obama has devoted considerable time and attention to crafting the signature speeches of his presidency, including ones that have explored the role of race in American society, the parameters of U.S. military intervention overseas and how to respond to a wave of gun violence that has affected citizens and police officers alike.
The president held an extensive news conference last month before leaving for vacation in Hawaii, and he may yet hold another question-and-answer session with journalists before Inauguration Day. But the Chicago speech, which will probably be carried live by several media outlets, gives him an opportunity to sketch out his legacy on his own terms.
On Monday, the president suggested that he would highlight some of the economic and social progress the nation has made under his watch, saying, “Since 2009, we’ve faced our fair share of challenges, and come through them stronger.”
“That’s because we have never let go of a belief that has guided us ever since our founding – our conviction that, together, we can change this country for the better,” he wrote, adding that he hoped Americans would watch online if they couldn’t attend his speech in person.
“Because, for me, it’s always been about you,” Obama concluded.
(c) 2017, The Washington Post · Juliet Eilperin
{Matzav.com}
Yes. One can argue that President Obama is the best President of all time. He has accomplished so much for this Country. He fought for the little guy like no one else in history. He has enhanced our lives tremendously. As a peace prize winner, he has brought peace to the entire world, especially the middle east. Only he was able to tackle the difficult issues everyone else was afraid to touch. He is the most respected President across the world, of all time. He could of done even more, if not for those evil white folks who kept trying to hamper his efforts. Those evil white racists of hate radio were very nasty towards him because of the color of his skin. I’m going to miss him terribly.
Trump should hold a press conference at same time. (And used the it to rip obomer) she, don’t let Obama re write history. We all know he is the worst president ever!
This fool does not need to deliver a “Farewell Address”, he did enough damage…..
This fool has not learned how to leave office with dignity and the UN vote last week was a demonstration of him not knowing how to leave like a Mench !
Oy, where to start? Na na na na, na na na na,hey hey hey good bye!
His legacy is that after eight years of destroying this country, and living off taxpayers money, he can go on the unemployment lines, and we wouldn’t care a bit for or wife!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nfgo3 is that you Obama writing for the Matzav, I didn’t know you read the matzav. I am happy you think that you are the greatest president we ever had, but you were always delusional about your own accomplishments and the above writing shows us that.
Only the Obama Kool-Aid drinkers will listen to his garbage.