Obama Sings Soul Tune in Harlem
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Shortly after taking the stage tonight for a fundraiser at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem, President Obama broke into song.
Obama, standing behind the presidential podium, thanked his hosts and the performers who preceded him, including soul singer Al Green.
“To know that Rev. Al Green was here!” Obama said.
Then, after a pause, he began to sing the opening line of one of Green’s hit songs from 1972: “Let’s Stay Together.”
“I’m…. sooo in love….”
The crowd of 1,400 supporters went wild.
The lyrics of full opening stanza of the song read: “I’m, I’m so in love with you. Whatever you want to do. Is alright with me
‘Cause you make me feel, so brand new. And I want to spend my life with you.”
The tune’s refrain underscores a theme of Obama’s re-election campaign: “Let’s, let’s stay together. Loving you whether, whether. Times are good or bad, happy or sad.” (The president did not sing this part, however.)
“Those guys didn’t think I would do it. I told you I was going to do it,” Obama said with a smile and a chuckle, looking off stage.
“The sandman did not come out. Now don’t worry, (inaudible) I cannot sing like you, but I just wanted to show my appreciation,” he said.
The Apollo event was Obama’s fourth campaign event of the night in New York City. It was hosted by Tony Award-winning composer and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda with performances by soul singer Green and vocal artist India.Arie. Tickets were $200 apiece for general admission.
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That was cute. Obama is definitely likable.
Meanwhile, Romney has hit a rough patch beginning with the discovery he didn’t really win Iowa.And then there was the revelation that he’s ducked taxes, hiding his money out in offshore accounts used by the financial elite. Republicans are calling for him to release his tax records, and he was even booed at the debate tonight for being circumspect about when and if he’d release them. He’s really botching his responses to the scrutiny he deserves over his own claims that he is qualified to be president due to his experience and success in the private sector. On top of that, his gold-cufflink gaffes really paint a picture of him as one of the clueless lock-jawed elite.
That’s not all. Then there ‘s the surprise timing of Perry’s exit from the race. Perry threw his support to Newt shortly after Palin said if she lived in SC, she’d vote for Newt, consolidating some of the anti-Romney Republican vote. Gingrich is now surging in SC, and being a crabby pants about scrutiny of his past marriages. Personally, I agree with Dan Savage that it’s not technically a request for an open marriage if you, despite being a defender of traditional marriage, have been lying to and cheating on your wife with your ‘devout Catholic’ mistress for six years and want to keep on doing just that. What I find more interesting is than his cheating and alleged open marriage request is that he moved for divorce right after his second wife was diagnosed with ms. That’s called a pattern since he divorced his first wife while she was being treated for cancer.
He’s not exactly the poster child i’d pick for traditional marriage, integrity or compassion.
I had to chuckle when Santorum mentioned how erratic Gingrich is and his fear that the man would pop if elected president. you don’t say. lol. Since you’re stating the obvious, might as well weigh in on his narcissism and hound dog nature, too. lol.
Fact checkers aren’t buying Mitt Romney’s claims about having created jobs… still. His claims remain unlikely and unsubstantiated. Ron Paul and Gingrich botched history according to fact checkers. Unemployment was much higher under Reagan than Carter (10.8, 2 yrs into Reagan’s term vs. Carter’s high of 7.7%) And before Medicare, half of the elderly did not have private insurance. Very few people in and outside of the health care industry believed the status quo could be maintained.
What a horrible field of candidates, even now after it’s been winnowed. Even Republicans can’t stand their choices. At Red State, Eric Erickson is saying that Republicans will have to hold their noses to vote for Mitt and that each and every day the veneer of electability is wearing off.
Posted by: Gemma Stone | January 20, 2012, 1:22 am 1:22 am
lets not forget that obama is no bargain either. lets not forget that obama is not being challenged by anyone within the democratic party. lets not forget that most people will be voting according to the state of their wallet, their assets. millions are homeless, hungry, jobless here in the USA but obama found the time to spend one billion dollars to overthrow qaddafi, then there is solyndra. though everyone seems to be throwing rocks at candidates hoping to challenge obama for the office of potus, lets not forget that obama is no bargain either.
Posted by: david | January 20, 2012, 4:30 am 4:30 am
lets not forget that obama is no bargain either.
Posted by: david | January 20, 2012, 4:30 am 4:30 am
Oh he’s a bargain alright. Far, far better than the last selection the Republicans stuck us with (Bush), and better than the one’s currently running for the Republicans.
Posted by: Fred | January 20, 2012, 5:03 am 5:03 am
BILLINGS, Mont. — Exxon Mobil says 1,509 barrels of oil spilled into the Yellowstone River during a pipeline break in Montana last summer – an increase of more than 500 barrels over the company’s earlier estimates.
Spokesman Alan Jeffers said Thursday the company recalculated the volume after discovering the pipeline was completely severed during the July 1 accident near Laurel.
Posted by: Chaney | January 20, 2012, 5:12 am 5:12 am
TEAR IT UP PREZ!!!
Posted by: Kevin McGill | January 20, 2012, 5:13 am 5:13 am
The Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s health-care overhaul passed by Congress last year, was designed to make it easier for Americans in situations like Verone’s to get health insurance BTW check “Penny Medical” for more information
Posted by: DavidBGillman | January 20, 2012, 7:31 am 7:31 am
Worst pres. of the US. Ever.
Posted by: trish | January 20, 2012, 7:41 am 7:41 am
Lets Stay Together, And Continue the Support Of Our First Family. Thank You Mr. President For Not Allowing Others To Make You look Like A Mad Black Man, because We Know That Nobody likes A Mad Black man.
Posted by: vern | January 20, 2012, 7:59 am 7:59 am
Lets Stay Together, And Continue the Support Of Our First Family. Thank You Mr. President For Not Allowing Others To Make You look Like A Mad Black Man, because We Know That Nobody likes A Mad Black man. But Please Remember That There Are Millions Of People That Love You; Whether Times Are Good or Bad, Happy Or Sad, So Why Should We Break Up Now.Lets Stay Together.
Posted by: vern | January 20, 2012, 8:03 am 8:03 am
Now that was the sound of progress!!! What an idiot!!
Posted by: vern | January 20, 2012, 10:15 am 10:15 am
“And then there was the revelation that he’s ducked taxes, hiding his money out in offshore accounts used by the financial elite”
Posted by: Gemma Stone | January 20, 2012, 1:22 am 1:22 am
Lie. His accounts in the Cayman’s are entirely legal AND he still pays taxes on them. Read the ENTIRE store ABC did on this subject. While doing their BEST to infer it being shady, in the end they had to admit it is all legal.
ABC has done stories on Romney’s bank accounts, Newt’s marital allegations, and they report on Obama, well, singing.
Fast and Furious Cunningham pleads the 5th when issued a subpoena by Congress. ABC nothing.
Gas has doubled since Obama took office. Turned Keystone down. Canada says it will sell oil to China. ABC silent.
Obama goes to Disneyworld to tout tourism. Behind the scenes, there is a $5.50 “border fee” being proposed in the 2012 budget that would apply to Canadian’s crossing the US border. ABC silent.
But one of the tops stories on GMA this morning, was the President singing. Journalism is dead at ABC. They have become nothing more than a reelection arm for Obama. Shameful.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | January 20, 2012, 10:54 am 10:54 am
I’m glad he’s having fun at all of his fundraisers while all the GOP candidates are out there answering questions from the press and the people.
Posted by: MayBee | January 20, 2012, 11:00 am 11:00 am
WMM, the lie is ‘it’s a lie.” You threw up a straw argument about legality that is neither here nor there. Legal doesn’t mean moral or good or transparent or right. Not one thing you mention disputes the fact that Romney was made more vulnerable and came out looking even less mainstream when the revelations hit that he hides his money in the Cayman islands to legally avoid paying a tax rate on par with teachers, secretaries and middle class small business owners. He exploits —the system, the middle class, workers– but yes, he exploits legally. And he will ensure exploitation, tax shelter and advantages for the financially elite continue to be legal even if they are shady, immoral, unfair, etc. As I mentioned, at conservative blogs like Red State, people like Eric Erickson are acknowledging they don’t like Romney and that the veneer of electability is fading. Perry and Palin are directing their followers elsewhere. Gingrich is surging. The National Review, Chris Christie and others are also wondering what Romney’s hiding and why he won’t disclose his financial information. And Romney comes off flat-footed, out of touch and floundering when he responds.
What exactly is the nice little present Romney is afraid of giving Democrats if everything is on the up and up?
Posted by: Gemma Stone | January 20, 2012, 11:18 am 11:18 am
Maybee, what questions have they answered? I think everyone is still very confused as to the main question everyone has, Who is the real Mitt Romney and what will he actually do in office? Where are the numbers to verify his unlikely job creation claims and if they don’t exist did he really think he could get away with making claims he can’t substantiate? Does he really think he’s reaching main street America when he chides those who scrutinize his record, scolds those who ask questions, makes ridiculous claims that he’s in touch with the middle class and feels their pain but then turns around and patronizes them with baloney about the politics of envy? Why does Newt leave his wives once they are dealing with difficult diseases and diagnoses such as cancer and ms? What does that say about his level of tenacity and commitment?
If you liked the clip of Obama singing Al Green, be sure to check an oldie but goodie of him singing Aretha at a rally. He is fun and likable.
Posted by: Gemma Stone | January 20, 2012, 11:30 am 11:30 am
ok, Im gonna say what I know many are thinking…..He’s stoned. I know that look. He’s stoned on weed. I raised 2 boys and I know what stoned looks and acts like. It’s unbecoming of a POTUS but hey, I think almost everything he does is low rent.
Posted by: mjishernameo | January 20, 2012, 11:32 am 11:32 am
Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton released their tax returns in the spring of 2008. Neither had released them by this point in the campaign.
But because Romney hasn’t yet (neither have Santorum or Paul!), suddenly he must be hiding something. People are turning into “Taxers”. Maybe after he releases his taxes, Romney can sell a coffee mug with a copy of his 1040 on it, like Obama and his birth certificate.
Posted by: MayBee | January 20, 2012, 11:35 am 11:35 am
Posted by: mjishernameo | January 20, 2012, 11:32 am 11:32 am
So your boys spent so much time stoned on weed that you think you’re an expert now… as a self-proclaimed expert on males that engage in illegal behavior, what do you make of rambling evasions like Romney’s? Ace of Spade, a conservative blogger notes that Romney lacks a lot of common sense.
Posted by: Gemma Stone | January 20, 2012, 11:45 am 11:45 am
“because Romney hasn’t yet (neither have Santorum or Paul!), suddenly he must be hiding something.”— Maybee
That seems to be the insinuation from fellow Republicans, doesn’t it? Even Chris Christie is calling for him to release his tax information now. i think it isn’t simply because he hasn’t released them but also because he really flubs his responses to questions about it— gets very defensive and comes off as even more out of touch. What’s the present he’s worried about giving democrats? Is his inability to come off as likable and approachable when he discusses his taxes and gets questioned about offshore Cayman accounts?
Maybe he’s uncomfortable because he thinks people have been buying his efforts to seem like an American everyman, but that was never the case and such delusions would highlight how out of touch he truly is.
As i said, I think everyone is still very confused as to the main question everyone has, Who is the real Mitt Romney and what will he actually do in office? He’s flip flopped so much that it’s hard to tell.
Posted by: Gemma Stone | January 20, 2012, 11:54 am 11:54 am
Posted by: Gemma Stone | January 20, 2012, 11:18 am 11:18 am
And your allegation that he is “ducking taxes and hiding money” is still a lie. Everything he is doing is perfectly legal. You may not agree with it, most likely because you want “your fair share” of his money, but it is legal. I’d like to see flat rate taxes, but politicians aren’t going to let that happen.
If ABC wants to do a “report” on Romney’s Cayman bank account, how about doing one on ALL politicians that have one? Have they checked for an Obama account? Why didn’t they check out Hillary when she was running? If you think that only Romney has a Cayman account, you are sadly mistaken.
Why didn’t the press vet Obama in 2008 the way they are the Repubican candidates?
ABC, and you GS, continue to switch the topic of conversation to anywhere and everywhere except where it belongs, and that is what the CURRENT president is doing.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | January 20, 2012, 11:57 am 11:57 am
Posted by: david | January 20, 2012, 4:30 am 4:30 am
But…. but…but… but.. but… but… but… but… but… but….. but..but…
Sounds like a concession that Republicans don’t have any good candidates to offer the American people and they have failed you.
I like Obama than any of the also-rans in the Republican field.
Posted by: P-mama | January 20, 2012, 11:59 am 11:59 am
“Romney can sell a coffee mug with a copy of his 1040 on it”
We’d love to sell that mug too!
Posted by: Obama victory fund | January 20, 2012, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm
GEMMA STONE, how come if you and everyone else is so sure that he will be reelected, why then is the WH floating the real possibility of Hillary becoming VP. Please tell us how come if the President flip-flops its ok, but everyelse will be vilified by you.
Posted by: Lizzie | January 20, 2012, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm
CBS Reports:
Bankrupt Solyndra Caught Destroying Brand New Parts
All Barack Channel….silent.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | January 20, 2012, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm
WMM, why did he choose offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands if not to duck some taxes he would have to pay if he banked in the country he claims to love so much. Oh, oh,oh, I know… so he could hide it too. Different privacy laws.
We have all witnessed exactly how transparent he is not, and how nervous and scolding this whole topic makes him. As a bonus to Democratws, he also makes a lot of gold-cufflink gaffes. Pink slip, corporations are people, the speakers fees of nearly $400,000 weren’t much money, pocket change really, wanna bet $10,000; politics of envy. He doesn’t exactly come off as relatable to the majority of Americans.
i notice his campaign is desperately managing expectations since yesterday, even moreso after he was booed by Republicans last night.
I don’t want or need a cent of his money. But I do want to know who the real Mitt Romney is. There are so very many versions. I don’t take him at his word. Only fools would. I find it fascinating that he expected Republicans to be fools, don’t you?
By the by, Americans consider inequality to be a bigger issue and problem than regulation. They also support the Buffet rule and allowing the Bush tax cuts for millionaires to expire. Where is Mitt on those issues again?
oh, that’s right… out of touch with America.
Posted by: Gemma Stone | January 20, 2012, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
It’s great that obama can sing. He’s going to need another career after the November elections!
Posted by: Colin Young | January 20, 2012, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
It’s nice to have a President with a sense of humor and smart, you have my vote
Posted by: Linda Price | January 20, 2012, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm
We have all witnessed exactly how transparent he is not,
Posted by: Gemma Stone | January 20, 2012, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
Romney, or Obama?
Let’s see the ENTIRE list of names of the people who were on AF1 when it buzzed New York.
Let’s see ALL e-mails from the Obama administration and Solyndra.
Let’s see ALL documents from the administration on Fast and Furious.
Let us see Obama’s grades.
We are STILL waiting for the LA Times to release the tape of Obama at a celebration with Rashid Khalidi.
NO TRANSPARANCY. The press won’t ask about ANY of these issues. They aren’t even talking about gas prices, which they did daily when Bush was President, along with “investigating” how many people were angry because of the prices. And you won’t talk about any of these issues either. You will just continue to bash Romney because of his money. Predictable for a paid hack.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | January 20, 2012, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
“NO TRANSPARANCY. The press won’t ask about ANY of these issues”
Good work! Don’t worry though, the public will accept how little I actually pay in taxes once I convince them that we actually created some jobs at Bain.
Posted by: mitt the ripper | January 20, 2012, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm
President Obama has been very forthcoming with his education records.Certainly his classmates can vouch for him,as many have done from Columbia and Harvard.the administration has been very cooperative in release of information from “Fast and Furious”, a program started by George Bush.When did AF1 “buzz” New York? A Fox myth?Mr Obama created 3 million Green jobs Despite three years of Republicans controlling Congress and actively trying to sabotage Solyndra.Pretty good for a descendent of slaves.
Posted by: gobama | January 20, 2012, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
Not a bad rendition of the first lines of that song . . .
Posted by: Jim | January 20, 2012, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm
Beyond pathetic. Since Obama has been President the poor & the minorities lives have gotten measurably worse. Obama croons a ‘bar’ at the Apollo but gives trillions to Wall Street & banks. What a joke.
Posted by: Climp Jones | January 20, 2012, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
Posted by: wheresmymoney | January 20, 2012, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
I noticed that now Mitt is demanding release of the ethics report from when Newt was speaker. Newt’s response was that he couldn’t take Mitt’s calls for disclosure or transparency seriously.
Good response, don’t ya think? I feel the same way regarding projections of paid hackery.
Regardless, Gallup backs up that Mitt’s support is very soft.
Posted by: Gemma Stone | January 20, 2012, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm
LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU BY ANY MEANS!
REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND!
Posted by: BONNIE ROSATI | February 3, 2012, 9:31 pm 9:31 pm