Obama to Tar Heels: Thanks for 'Vindicating Me Before the Entire Nation'

"Congratulations on bringing Carolina its fifth national championship and more importantly, thanks for salvaging my bracket and vindicating me before the entire nation," said Obama who very publicly chose UNC in his bracket to win the NCAA tournament. "That first round was rough on me."

Obama, an basketball player and fan, then recalled playing with the Tar Heels during the 2008 campaign, saying together they created a "good vibe."

"I did have a chance to play ball with this crew just over a year ago when I visited Chapel Hill and I'm not sure whose luck rubbed off on who, I think there was just a good vibe going on there because they're now national champions and I'm now president," said Obama.

Obama offered special congratulations to the seven senior Tar Heels who graduated on Sunday, and gave a call out to star players Tyler Hansbrough for choosing to forgo the NBA draft for a college degree, as well as Ty Lawson, injured at the beginning of the tournament, who, "played a little gimpy, and still just tearing it up."

During the visit, the president also poked fun at presidential aide and former Duke basketball player Reggie Love.

"I have to tell you everybody on my staff is really excited about the team coming except my assistant Reggie Love," said Obama.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/05/obama-to-tar-he.html