President Obama on School Massacre: 'Our Hearts Are Broken'

Earlier today we saw a deeply touched President Obama the father of two choked up while addressing the nation about the tragedy -- sandy. ABC's Jake Tapper has been following the president throughout... See More

Earlier today we saw a deeply touched President Obama the father of two choked up while addressing the nation about the tragedy -- sandy. ABC's Jake Tapper has been following the president throughout the day and he brings us. The latest. The day began quietly. Normally as days like this always seemed to do. There was not much on the president's schedule today in. -- bill signing a meeting with US ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice following her headline grabbing news. There -- a holiday party. But a madman would make today one of the worst days of the Obama presidency. The president participated in that bill signing around 1230. But by the time the Press Secretary came after the daily briefing a few minutes later the news. That horrifying news about the reality of the shooting. Clearly was -- at approximately 10:30 this morning that a Press Secretary was reluctant to share any information until it was -- -- easy check. A lot of us here -- -- can just tell you that as a father. Incidents like these weigh heavily on him shortly after 2 PM eastern flags were lowered to half staff at the White House and a government buildings and military installations and Beth. Holster around the world the majority of those who died today were children. Beautiful kids between the ages of five and ten years old shortly after 3 PM President Obama reacted. Not as a president. But as a parent I know there's not a parent in America. Who doesn't feel the same overwhelming grief that I do. It was and emotional side -- -- I rarely seen in public. He repeatedly wiped away tears and -- to compose himself. They have their entire lives ahead of them. Birthdays and graduation is. -- Kids of their -- Today the president suggested he might take some action -- -- come together and take meaningful action. To prevent more tragedies like this regardless of the politics. It was unclear what meaningful action the president intended whether. Gun control or something to do with the mentally ill or something else the only action we knew for sure he would take was this want. This evening Michelle -- will do what I know every parent in America. Boulder which is -- virtual little tighter. And we'll tell them the we love them. And more money each other how deeply we love one another the president later today visited with his family and then appeared at a holiday reception. We had a tough day today he told the ground. We did. And there are some people who will now have nothing but tough -- For the rest of the arts. This is Jake Tapper for Nightline at the White House.