During Barack Obama’s eight years as president, he’s managed to capture more imaginations than the average politician.
The former senator for Illinois is famed for his command of the English language – and even since before his time as president, has been making many people feel things they don’t usually feel about politics.
He’s been commanding microphones everywhere since 2008.
1. But in truth, his first mic drop moment came way back in 2004 – in a speech that would foreshadow the work he’d start as president.
At the 2004 Democratic National Convention, Obama spoke in support of John Kerry and managed to bring the crowd alive. There are too many quotables from the 18 minutes he spent on stage, but his ability to unite Americans quickly became apparent.
“If there is a child on the south side of Chicago who can’t read, that matters to me even if it’s not my child. If there’s a senior citizen somewhere who can’t pay for their prescription drugs and is having to choose between medicine and the rent – that makes my life poorer even if it’s not my grandparent. If there’s an Arab-American family being rounded up, without benefit of an attorney, or due process, that threatens my civil liberties!” he said.
One of many mic-drop moments in that speech.
2. The day Obamacare was signed into law.
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“We are not a nation that scales back its aspirations. We are not a nation that falls prey to doubt or mistrust. We don’t fall prey to fear. We are not a nation that does what’s easy. That’s not who we are. That’s not how we got here,” Obama said on the day the bill he battled so hard for was signed into law.
“We are a nation that faces its challenges and accepts its responsibilities. We are a nation that does what is hard. What is necessary. What is right. Here, in this country, we shape our own destiny. That is what we do. That is who we are. That is what makes us the United States of America.”
Drop that mic.
3. When he went in on climate change, out-angering his anger translator.
One of President Obama’s most defining achievements is helping get the Paris Agreement on climate change over the line, with Obama working hard to secure a future that our children and grandchildren can thrive in.
But it was a long road with lots of obstacles, something Obama speaks… passionately… about here.
4. His speech on the 50th anniversary of the march on Selma.
The significance of an African American president delivering a speech in Selma, Alabama, on the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday – when civil rights protesters were beaten senseless by law enforcement as they fought for the right to vote – was not lost on anybody.
For the true majesty of this speech you need to listen to the full version, but Obama saying protesters have a right to make people aware of “uncomfortable truths” was particularly relevant as Black Lives Matter protesters fought, and still fight, for justice.
5. When he mercilessly roasted Donald Trump and Fox News.
Trump infamously led the calls for Obama to present his birth certificate to the nation, something the President had no problem bringing up when his successor was in the room.
“No one is happier, no one is prouder, to put this birth certificate matter to rest than The Donald. And that’s because he can finally get back to focusing on the issues that matter… like, did we fake the moon landing? What really happened in Roswell?… And where are Biggie and Tupac?!”
Presidential levels of trolling.
6. When in the middle of an interview he casually killed a fly in one attempt, before proceeding as before.
This might not be a moment Obama conjures up when remembering his finest hours inside the White House, but that’s probably because the evidence here shows he is secretly a ninja and the events of this interview were No Big Deal.
But it’s definitely one that we’ll be remembering.
7. When he poked fun at everyone, including himself, with the help of some sassy screen captions.
This 2014 clip from The Colbert Report sees Obama trying to get young people to sign up for Obamacare, but actually works as a way for him to mock Republicans, LinkedIn, his own grey hairs, and Fox News.
The mic-drop moment here has to be that fake news reference though… he was a man ahead of his time.
8. Every single one of these rebuttals.
Quick wit can take you far as a president, especially during campaigning season – and Obama proved that better than anyone.
The outgoing president was capable of some zingers.
9. When he actually dropped the mic.
A cooler person will never call the Oval Office their own.
