Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 09:42 AM Sep 2017

Exclusive: Read the Inauguration Day letter Obama left for Trump

Source: CNN




By Kevin Liptak, CNN White House Producer
Updated 8:51 AM ET, Sun September 3, 2017

(CNN)During his final moments in the Oval Office, President Barack Obama folded into thirds a handwritten letter to Donald Trump, slid it into an envelope, and in neat capital letters addressed it to "Mr. President."

Now, the contents of that letter -- the last direct communication between the 44th and 45th presidents -- have emerged for the first time after CNN obtained a copy.

Full letter

Dear Mr. President -

Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.
This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don't know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years.

First, we've both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It's up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that's willing to work hard.

Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend.

Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.

And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches.

Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.

Good luck and Godspeed,
BO

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/03/politics/obama-trump-letter-inauguration-day/index.html

40 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Exclusive: Read the Inauguration Day letter Obama left for Trump (Original Post) DonViejo Sep 2017 OP
He always had the right words for every occasion. femmocrat Sep 2017 #1
Pearls before swine. Unfortunately PaulRevere08 Sep 2017 #2
+1000s DinahMoeHum Sep 2017 #9
No need to insult swine. n/t Julian Englis Sep 2017 #18
One of my favorite sayings AC_Mem Sep 2017 #29
Agreed madokie Sep 2017 #37
It probably pissed MFM008 Sep 2017 #3
What makes you think Trump even read the letter? PJMcK Sep 2017 #15
I wonder who got the job of reading it out loud for Trump Orrex Sep 2017 #4
No one I suspect. I doubt Birther Don would read a letter from a black President. L. Coyote Sep 2017 #10
Or reducing it to bullet points: forgotmylogin Sep 2017 #21
Since Trump can't concentrate on such a long missive---he only read the last mtngirl47 Sep 2017 #5
I miss a president who has class NastyRiffraff Sep 2017 #6
+1000000000 treestar Sep 2017 #30
I do not believe Trump ever read it................ Angry Dragon Sep 2017 #7
If he did, he's failed at every single step so far underpants Sep 2017 #27
yes .............. except golfing Angry Dragon Sep 2017 #35
Yes, but ... copperearth Sep 2017 #36
I agree. Obama had suggestions for Trump and there is NO way... Frustratedlady Sep 2017 #38
Free reminder for the republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief Achilleaze Sep 2017 #8
Someone, maybe Al Franken Scarsdale Sep 2017 #22
President Obama classy as ever, eloquent, I still miss his work and effort as president. Thinkingabout Sep 2017 #11
Should have written the exact opposite of what he wanted DeminPennswoods Sep 2017 #12
He probably did read it . . . Richard D Sep 2017 #13
He probably lit it on fire. n/t AwakeAtLast Sep 2017 #19
Hired a hooker, Scarsdale Sep 2017 #24
Oh, yes it is. AwakeAtLast Sep 2017 #25
Which Trump Promptly Ignored From Minute One n/t CousinIT Sep 2017 #14
It speaks volumes bucolic_frolic Sep 2017 #16
I miss President Obama. Calista241 Sep 2017 #17
Trump's first thought ... Snake Plissken Sep 2017 #20
Love your screen name , but I swear to God, Snake, I thought you were dead. bench scientist Sep 2017 #26
I'd bet he didn't get past the word Congratulations JDC Sep 2017 #23
His thought process reading the letter: LiberalLovinLug Sep 2017 #28
LOL treestar Sep 2017 #31
Really? MyOwnPeace Sep 2017 #34
... LiberalLovinLug Sep 2017 #40
If he read the whole thing (difficult) he forgot it all ten minutes later. . . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 2017 #32
Moving from Obama to Drumpf Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Sep 2017 #33
he should have said what he REALLY thought Skittles Sep 2017 #39

AC_Mem

(1,979 posts)
29. One of my favorite sayings
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 01:25 PM
Sep 2017

President Obama was, is and always will be a class act. We are all better for his 8 years of service and I miss him dearly every single day.

a

PJMcK

(22,075 posts)
15. What makes you think Trump even read the letter?
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 11:14 AM
Sep 2017

He probably saw who it was from, tore it to pieces and threw them in the garbage.

In spite of what he thinks, he's not a very classy guy.

forgotmylogin

(7,540 posts)
21. Or reducing it to bullet points:
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 12:31 PM
Sep 2017

Dear President Trump,

*Congratulations.
*You are blessed.
*Leave [things as you found them].

Barack Obama

mtngirl47

(992 posts)
5. Since Trump can't concentrate on such a long missive---he only read the last
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 09:57 AM
Sep 2017

part about taking time for his family and he thought it meant to go golfing and take lots of vacations!

treestar

(82,383 posts)
30. +1000000000
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 01:27 PM
Sep 2017

That letter is with his usual class.

The Orange Buffoon won't even write a letter for his successor.

Frustratedlady

(16,254 posts)
38. I agree. Obama had suggestions for Trump and there is NO way...
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 08:59 PM
Sep 2017

Trump would accept suggestions from a Black POTUS.

Is all this hate from Obama's roast a couple years ago at the newscaster/writers' dinner? If so, his insides must be one huge tangled mess if he lets everything get to him like that.

Achilleaze

(15,543 posts)
8. Free reminder for the republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 10:09 AM
Sep 2017

Have someone read this to you every day: "That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebears fought and bled for."

Comrade Casino and allied republicans cronies have so far routinely pissed on those essential parts of American democracy

Scarsdale

(9,426 posts)
22. Someone, maybe Al Franken
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 12:38 PM
Sep 2017

could stand up and read this letter to all his colleagues, reminding them WHY they are in office? They seem to think they are there to enrich themselves and get great healthcare for their families. We went from CLASS to CRASS in a few short months.

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
11. President Obama classy as ever, eloquent, I still miss his work and effort as president.
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 10:41 AM
Sep 2017

I know we will never hear in words from Trump which will match President Obama. Thanks President Obama for your service to our nation.

DeminPennswoods

(15,299 posts)
12. Should have written the exact opposite of what he wanted
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 10:50 AM
Sep 2017

Trump to do, then Trump would think he's dissing Obama by doing the opposite.

Richard D

(8,824 posts)
13. He probably did read it . . .
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 10:58 AM
Sep 2017

. . . and with his deep hatred for Obama, decided to do exactly the opposite of everything in the letter.

bucolic_frolic

(43,511 posts)
16. It speaks volumes
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 11:16 AM
Sep 2017

that he felt the need for instructions that any first year government student could spit out on a final exam

LiberalLovinLug

(14,180 posts)
28. His thought process reading the letter:
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 01:17 PM
Sep 2017
Dear Mr. President -
Congratulations on a remarkable run.


Yes! remarkable! I'll have to use that word

Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.

You bet your ass expanded prosperity! For everyone starting with me!

This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don't know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful

You got that right loser

Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years.

Oh boy here we go

First, we've both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky.

You have nothing compared to me you Kenyan commie, lol

It's up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that's willing to work hard.

Me first!

Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend.

Speak for yourself you socialist turd, I don't "depend" on anyone else, (well other than my good friends in those Russian banks)

Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.

blah blah blah....my people love me because I'm going to 'drain the swamp' of all those costly "institutions and traditions". So suck on it boy!


And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches.

Well you got that right. If I'm having a bad day I just grab the picture of Ivanka and stare longingly at it and am amazed at how I made such a hot piece of ass

Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.

Ya, don't let the door hit you on the way out losers

Good luck and Godspeed,
BO


fuck off loser

MyOwnPeace

(16,955 posts)
34. Really?
Sun Sep 3, 2017, 02:18 PM
Sep 2017

Were you there when Orange Cheat-o read that?

I truly DO believe you were, because YOU NAILED IT - that sounds EXACTLY LIKE HIM!!!!!!!

(Hey, wait a minute, is that you, Donny? Have you quit tweeting and are now trolling our site?
Really, you're missing a tee time - and don't come back!)

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Exclusive: Read the Inaug...