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Obamas Return To White House For Official Portrait Unveiling. Aired 2-2:30p ET

Aired September 07, 2022 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[14:00:00]

JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Home. It always bothers my mind, I always can't understand that a three-year-old kid is going to say, no mom, leave in the site of Rio Grande (ph), you go ahead and go. I'm serious. You, so they could stay and contribute. And they've contributed incredibly, their talents, and it's a great generation they represent. I can go on and defend what all that you've done. Expanding civil rights issue, the clarion call and the climate crisis helped us find that amazing grace, an amazing grace, even in darkness.

In countless hours, over countless meetings under intense pressure, we always knew Barack Obama, we always knew what you do, what you thought was right. Even if it was going to cost you politically. We trusted him, all of you in this room. We believed in him, we counted on him. And I still do, and I still do.

President, the country elected you twice. That's why, he will be considered one of the most consequential presidents in our history, along with one of the most consequential First Ladies, you know, Michelle, he knows we all know, he couldn't have done it without you. And I like them.

In fact, during our week, we had lunch once a week, every week come hell or high water. And everybody wondered all those important things we talked about. Probably 40 percent of the time, we talked about family, we most talked about our girls and my grandchildren and my children. You embody dignity beyond measure, Michelle. And together you and Barack made history. You both generated hope for millions of people who were left behind for so long. And it matters. You both did it with such grace and such class. You dream big, and secured lasting wins (ph) for American people helping lift their burden with the blessing of hope.

It was (ph) so underestimated the notion of just having hope. This is a gift of the Obama presidency to the country and to history. It's a gift I felt personally. And as we used to say in the Senate, Mr. President, excuse a point of personal privilege, you were always there. I remember, I remember how you were with me when my - when our son was passing. And I remember the eulogy you gave it his behalf. You'll never fully understand as how much it meant to Jill and me and the entire family.

I always remember that night we accepted the nomination in Denver. My granddaughter Finnegan is a great friends of your daughters at call (ph) came up to the room, our room and said, pop, can we move the beds out of my room? And I said why do you want to move the beds out of the room? He said well, so her two sisters, and Malia and Sasha, we could all get sleeping bags and lie on the floor and sleep together and watch the Convention, on the floor. That image altogether, that will stay with me forever. I think it melded our families in ways that it's hard for other people to understand.

For eight years, we grew to be a family for each other through our highs and our lows. Family from different backgrounds, brought together by shared value set. And all the things that the families have done together as I imagined there may have been other relationships like this, the president, and vice president, but I can't think none comes to mind.

Jill and I have been waiting to host events at the White House for a long time coming out of the pandemic. And it's fitting, fitting that we can do that now by unveiling the portraits of two dear friends and two great Americans who are still held very tightly in the hearts of American people. Portraits are going to hang on the walls in this sacred place, the people's house forever. And a reminder of all here and now for those that come to power, that hope and change matters.

Barack and Michelle, it's my honor to invite you both to the stage for the unveiling of your official portraits. Come on.

[14:05:00]

BARACK OBAMA, 44TH U.S. PRESIDENT: Thank you so much. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. Thank you so much. Please everybody, have a seat. Have a seat. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Sit down, everybody. Thank you much. It is great to be back. President and Dr. Biden, Vice President Harris and second gentleman Emhoff. Thank you so much for your hospitality. Thanks for letting us invite a few friends to the White House, we will try not to tear up the place.

Someone - someone once said that, if you're looking for a friend in Washington, get a dog. Our family was lucky enough to have two wonderful dogs. But I was even luckier to have a chance to spend eight years working day and night with a man who became a true partner and a true friend. Joe, it is now America's good fortune to have you as president. You guided us.

You have guided us through some perilous times. You've built on and gone beyond the work we all did together to expand health care, to fight climate change, to advance social justice, and to promote economic fairness. Thanks to your decency, and thanks to your strength. Maybe most of all, thanks to your faith in our democracy, and the American people. The country is better off than when you took office. And we should all be deeply grateful for them. So, thank you so much.

To all the former Obama-Biden staffers who are here in-person, some of you are watching at home, thank you for being a part of this. When people asked me what I miss most about the White House years, it is not Air Force One that I talk about. Although, I miss Air Force One. It's the chance that I had to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with all of you, to have a chance to witness so many talented, selfless, idealistic, good people working tirelessly every day to make the world better.

And for eight years, and even longer for some of you, I drew on your energy and your dedication and your goodness. You inspired me. And I never wanted to disappoint you. And I tried to reflect the same heart and character that you displayed every day. Even during the toughest times, it was all of you that kept me going. So, it's good to be back to have a chance to see all of you and to once again say thank you.

Now, as much as I miss our work together, what's been a special joy is to see what's happened since because so many of you are doing amazing things whether it's in government in the private sector, in academia or nonprofits. And I'm especially glad to see so many of you serving

[14:10:00]

President Biden as well as you served me. Although now, some of you who, let's face it, you were kids back then are now in-charge and running the show, which is little shocking and may also explain some of the gray hairs I'm seeing on some of you.

But it validates what I had always hoped, which was that our time together would only be the beginning of incredibly impactful careers. And some of you who I've had a chance to stay in touch with, I'm thrilled to see that you've started families of your own. I am a little disappointed that I haven't heard of anyone naming a kid Barack yet. Or Michelle. But there is still time.

Finally, I want to say a special thanks to the White House staff, we had a chance to see them (inaudible). You took incredible care of our family for eight years, and along the way you became a part of it. And we have not ever forgotten the kindness that you showed us. Now, when Michelle and I had our portraits unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery a few years back, I said that as far as I can tell, no one in my family tree had ever sat for a portrait before. I certainly had not.

And now all of a sudden, we've done it twice. But these portraits have a special significance. Because as Joe mentioned, they will hang in the White House alongside portraits of other presidents and first ladies dating back to George and Martha. So, it was important to find the right people to paint them. I want to thank Sharon Sprung for capturing everything I love about Michelle, Her grace, her intelligence and the fact that she's fine. Michelle.

She is, her portrait is stunning. And I want to thank Robert McCurdy for taking on a much more difficult subject and doing a fantastic job with mine. Robert is known for his paintings of public figures, Toni Morrison, the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali. But what I love about Robert's work is that he paints people exactly the way they are, for better or worse. He captures every wrinkle on your face, every crease in your shirt. You'll note that he refused to hide any of my gray hairs, refused my request to make my ears smaller. He also talked me out of wearing a tan suit by the way. His work is so precise that at first glance it looks like a photograph. And Robert also paints his subjects looking straight ahead. So, it feels like you're face-to-face forming a connection. And that appealed to me, in part because presidents so often get airbrushed, even take on a mythical status, especially after you're gone and people forget all the stuff they didn't like about you. But what you realize when you're sitting behind that desk, and what I want people to remember about Michelle and me is that presidents and first ladies are human beings like everyone else.

We have our gifts, we have our flaws, you've all experienced mine. We have good days and bad days. We feel the same joy

[14:15:00]

and sadness, frustration and hope. And while it takes a certain amount of self-confidence to be president, there are nights where we lie awake, wondering if this or that decision was the right way.

I've always described the presidency as a relay race. You take the baton from someone, you run your leg as hard and as well as you can, and then you hand it off to someone else. Knowing that your work will be incomplete. The portraits hanging in the White House Chronicle, the runners in that race, each of us tasked with trying to bring the country we love closer to its highest aspirations. And when future generations walk these halls and look up at these portraits, I hope they get a better, honest sense of who Michelle and I were. And I hope they leave with a deeper understanding that if we could make it here, maybe they can too. They can do remarkable things too.

Now, it is my pleasure to introduce someone who needs no introduction. Michelle was the best thing about living in the White House. And let me tell you, the pastry (ph) chefs here deliver delicious pies on request. So that is saying something. I could not ask for a better life partner. And in my humble opinion, America could not have asked for a better First Lady, please give it up for Michelle Obama.

MICHELL OBAMA, FORMER FIRST LADY: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, guys. OK. Thank you, everybody. Oh, well, let me thank my husband, first of all for such spicy remarks. And of course, thank you to Joe and Jill. President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Thank you for inviting us back. This means so much to us.

We were saying at lunch that the girls have lived in this house longer than they've lived anywhere. And so, this, as out of home as this can be, as wonderful as it can be, it is a special place because we raised our girls here. And it means so much to come back to friends, and to be able to spend time talking about our girls. And so, I am grateful to both of you for the work that you're doing. The love that you're showing us, our staff and the work that you're doing for this country. Thank you so much.

And of course, to Vice President Harris and I love to say this second gentleman, Emhoff. Let's say it again, second gentleman. You're doing a great job. Thank you for joining us today. And I can't go any further without, of course acknowledging all of the amazing staff. Friends, it's - more than staff, your friends, your family to us, particularly the people who've been part of my team over the years. I don't have time to name everyone. Thank goodness. But you all know who you are from the campaign to the White House today.

I would not be who I am without your passion and your faith and all the love that you poured into everything that we accomplished together and it was amazing. Historic. What did Sam Kass used to say, unprecedented. You all mean the world to me and I mean that from the bottom of my heart, so thank you. Proud of you. Proud of the work that you've done. Proud of what you're doing

[14:20:00]

I also want to take the time to recognize the resident staff. As Barack said, you guys made this a home, we snatched up a few of you all, and took you with us. But for those of you who we couldn't bring, we miss you so much. We miss you so much. The best part about this house was you all, so good to see you. And you all look good, so good.

I'd also like to recognize Stewart McLaurin, of course, John Rogers (ph), it's been amazing working with you all over the years. I have to recognize Bill Ullman (ph), who has been fabulous to work with over the years. And, of course, Thelma Golden (ph) and my dear friend, Michael Smith (ph), for their - we are where we are because of their comprehensive and rigorous work to identify these incredible artists.

And that brings me to our artist. Of course, Robert McCurdy, who, you know, you did a good job, did a good job, but I got to spend a lot of time with Sharon Sprung. And Sharon now joins a small but mighty group of women who've painted an official portrait here at the White House. And I'm thrilled that this extraordinary work was going to be enshrined forever as part of our nation's history. But Sharon, it was wonderful to work with you. You are a true spirit. That's one of the reasons why we connected. Your work is phenomenal. But it was your essence, your soul, the way you saw me, the way we interacted. And it shows in this beautiful work. So, thank you for your brilliance, your artistry and your patience in this process.

I remember I went to see the work in Brooklyn and poor Sharon, because no one is supposed to know who the artists are. So, her studio is her home. And so, she had this piece in her home, you couldn't have guessed over, you were frightened that it would get out, you just wanted it out of your space. And every year I thought about she must be going crazy. So, thank you, thank you so much. Let's give them both a round of applause.

Believe it or not, it is still a bit odd for me to stand in this historic space. See this big beautiful painting, staring back at me. Growing up on Euclid Avenue, mommy. I never could have imagined that any of this will be part of my story. But even if it's all still a bit awkward for me, I do recognize why moments like these are important. Why all of this is absolutely necessary.

Traditions like this matter, not just for those of us who hold these positions, but for everyone participating in and watching our democracy. You see the people they make their voices heard with their vote; we hold an inauguration to ensure a peaceful transition of power. Those of us lucky enough to serve work, as Barack said, as hard as we can for as long as we can, as long as the people choose to keep us here.

And once our time is up, we move on. And all that remains in this hallowed place are our good efforts. And these portraits, portraits that connect our history to the present day, portraits that hang here as history continues to be made. So, for me this day is not just about what has happened. It's also about what could happen because a girl like me, she was never supposed to be up there next to Jacqueline Kennedy and Dolly Madison. She was never supposed to live in this house and she definitely wasn't supposed to serve as First Lady.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We love you, Michelle.

M. OBAMA: Love you back.

[14:25:00]

But I've always wondered where does that supposed to come from? Who determines it. And too often in this country, people feel like they have to look a certain way or act a certain way to fit in, that they have to make a lot of money or come from a certain group or class or faith in order to matter. But what we're looking at today, a portrait of a biracial kid with an unusual name, and the daughter of a water pump operator and a stay-at-home mom, what we are seeing is a reminder that there is a place for everyone in this country. Because as Barack said, the two of us can end up on the walls of the most famous address in the world.

Then again, it is so important for every young kid who is doubting themselves to believe that they can too. That is what this country is about. It's not about blood, or pedigree or wealth. It's a place where everyone should have a fair shot. Whether you're a kid taking two buses, and a train just to get to school, or a single mother who's working two jobs to put some food on the table, or an immigrant, just arriving, getting your first apartment, forging a future for yourself in a place you dreamed of. That's why for me, this day isn't about me or Barack. It's not even about these beautiful paintings. It's about telling that fuller story, a story that includes every single American in every single corner of the country, so that our kids and grandkids can see something more for themselves.

And as much as some folks might want us to believe that that story has lost some of its shine, that division and discrimination and everything else might have dimmed its light, I still know deep in my heart, that what we share, as my husband continues to say, is so much bigger than what we don't. Our democracy is so much stronger than our differences. And this little girl from the south side is blessed beyond measure to have felt the truth of that fuller story throughout her entire life, never more so than today.

So, thank you to President Biden, to Sharon, and to all of you today for playing a part in this day and all the days that led to it. And now, it is my privilege to introduce someone who is stepping in shoes and doing it well. Someone who has devoted so much of her life to education, working to broaden the idea of whose story matters. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my friend First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

JILL BIDEN, FIRST LADY: Joe honestly, everybody stood with Joe. Thank you, Michelle, for a friendship I treasure. 14 years ago, 14 years ago, Michelle, on a cold night in November, a sea of people gathered in Grant Park to be a part of history. There was laughter and music and dancing. There were tears as friends and strangers alike held each other, overwhelmed with the joy that hope and change had been realized. The crowd roared, radiating the sense that anything we could dream was within our reach. But at the heart of that enormous moment was a family.

Two little girls who would grow up exploring the secret halls and hideaways of the White House.