President-elect Barack Obama showed a little of his softer side as he said his goodbyes to Chicago, the city that launched his political career, and headed to Washington to join his wife and two daughters.
According to CNN: “I choked up a little bit leaving my house today,” Obama told reporters as his flight prepared to depart.
The moment was brought on by a reminder of the years Obama and his family spent in the Windy City.
The president-elect told his traveling press corps that he got emotional because a friend of his oldest daughter, Malia, had dropped off a scrapbook of pictures to the Obama’s Chicago home.
“They had been friends since preschool and I just looked thru the pages and the house was empty and it was a little tough,” Obama said. “It got me.”
The president-elect did not linger long enough to take any questions from reporters. Instead, he returned to his cabin in the aircraft where he ordered a cheeseburger and fries, according to Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs.
Before leaving Chicago, Obama also met Air Force Col. Scott Turner, who will pilot Air Force One once Obama is inaugurated.
“I am looking forward to seeing you guys in Washington,” Obama also told reporters before they boarded the plane.
