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| Barack Obama gives final speech as president in Chicago – live | Barack Obama gives final speech as president in Chicago – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 1.42am GMT | |
| 01:42 | |
| David Smith | |
| Emotions are already running high at the McCormick Place convention centre in Chicago. The make up of the crowd – male and female, young and old, diverse in race and religion – is itself a statement about the outgoing president. | |
| Sheila Baldwin, a 64-year-old African American, who got her ticket on Saturday after queuing from 5am, said: “My ancestors would appreciate and insist I see this historic event. It was thrilling for us to see my mother, who is 91, witness the first black president; now to see it come full circle is a wonderful moment.” | |
| Reflecting on the divisive presidential election, Baldwin, a university associate professor in Chicago, added: “If anyone can heal the country and bring it together, I think President Obama can. The country is in for a huge shock with Donald Trump and hopefully he can do the right thing. It’s not going to be smooth sailing.” | |
| The vast arena already appears full with thousands of people seated and thousands more standing at the back – some have complained about the poor view they will have of Obama. There are multiple giant TV screens, a huge stars and stripes and a giant presidential seat set against a deep blue curtain. Musicians are currently performing. | |
| The audience includes veteran Obama campaign staffers. Daniel and Cathy Nored, both 62, have flown in from Dallas, Georgia. Daniel, a computer technician, said: “My emotions are a little sad but I know he’s tired and wants to become an ordinary citizen. It’s bittersweet.” | |
| Cathy, who works in human resources, added: “I think he will make another great speech but this is going to come from the heart.” | |
| Two Algerian-born Muslims, Meriem Sadoun and Hanane Bounar got tickets after queuing from 4am on Saturday. Bounar, 16, a student, said: “When I came to the US as an immigrant, he was the first president. For me to see him at the end is important.” | |
| But Sadoun, 22, a university graduate, added: “If this was Donald Trump speaking, we probably wouldn’t be welcome in the crowd. The atmosphere would be different and not as welcoming.” | |
| 1.20am GMT | |
| 01:20 | |
| Eddie Vedder, lead singer of Pearl Jam, is singing and talking to the crowd in advance of Obama’s speech. | |
| "People have the power." Eddie Vedder and the Chicago Children's Choir begin the program at #ObamaFarewell. pic.twitter.com/EZ2Q4Bi9YK | |
| 1.07am GMT | 1.07am GMT |
| 01:07 | 01:07 |
| Axelrod calls it a night of 'very mixed' emotions | Axelrod calls it a night of 'very mixed' emotions |
| David Smith | David Smith |
| David Axelrod, Obama’s former chief strategist, told the Guardian: | David Axelrod, Obama’s former chief strategist, told the Guardian: |
| I think he’s going to be very focused not just on what we’ve been able to accomplish but what we need to accomplish to keep our democracy. Democracy’s under siege right now. Democracy’s not a gift, it’s something that we have to work for and fight for, and I think he’ll address that. I think he’ll address the new president but not in a challenging way. | |
| It is a night of “very mixed” emotions, Axelrod added. | It is a night of “very mixed” emotions, Axelrod added. |
| “I’m proud of him and all that he’s accomplished, what he’s meant to this country, But I’m sad that the journey is over, at least this leg of it. I’ve known him for 25 years and I have maximum high regard for him,” Axelrod said. | |
| “Tonight I picked up the credential that said, ‘The president’s farewell address’. I have a drawer full of a hundred credentials from Iowa, the whole 2008 campaign, all my years at the White House, the 2012 campaign, and to pick up one that said farewell address was an emotional thing.” | “Tonight I picked up the credential that said, ‘The president’s farewell address’. I have a drawer full of a hundred credentials from Iowa, the whole 2008 campaign, all my years at the White House, the 2012 campaign, and to pick up one that said farewell address was an emotional thing.” |
| Updated | |
| at 1.26am GMT | |
| 1.00am GMT | 1.00am GMT |
| 01:00 | 01:00 |
| Good evening. It’s been exactly 2,989 days since Barack Obama addressed thousands of supporters gathered in Chicago’s Grant Park on election night in 2008. | Good evening. It’s been exactly 2,989 days since Barack Obama addressed thousands of supporters gathered in Chicago’s Grant Park on election night in 2008. |
| Now he has returned to his home town to give his much-awaited presidential farewell speech tonight, which will focus on the themes of hope and grassroots change that first helped get him elected. | Now he has returned to his home town to give his much-awaited presidential farewell speech tonight, which will focus on the themes of hope and grassroots change that first helped get him elected. |
| Obama is “not one to be overly sentimental”, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said after Air Force One touched down in Chicago this afternoon, although this speech is likely to be more emotional than most. | Obama is “not one to be overly sentimental”, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said after Air Force One touched down in Chicago this afternoon, although this speech is likely to be more emotional than most. |
| Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W Bush all gave their farewell speeches in the White House, but Obama chose to give his in the Windy City. | Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W Bush all gave their farewell speeches in the White House, but Obama chose to give his in the Windy City. |
| “I first came to Chicago when I was in my early 20s, still trying to figure out who I was, still searching for a purpose to my life,” said Obama, in an excerpt of the speech released by the White House. | “I first came to Chicago when I was in my early 20s, still trying to figure out who I was, still searching for a purpose to my life,” said Obama, in an excerpt of the speech released by the White House. |
| The president will speak about optimism, grassroots politics and confidence in young Americans, Earnest said. | The president will speak about optimism, grassroots politics and confidence in young Americans, Earnest said. |
| We will be live blogging the speech, which kicks off at 8pm CT (that’s 9pm ET). Reporter David Smith is already in the crowd. | We will be live blogging the speech, which kicks off at 8pm CT (that’s 9pm ET). Reporter David Smith is already in the crowd. |
| At McCormick Place convention centre in Chicago for Barack Obama's farewell address. pic.twitter.com/nnlZO6WR2Q | At McCormick Place convention centre in Chicago for Barack Obama's farewell address. pic.twitter.com/nnlZO6WR2Q |