(CNN) — President Obama was crying. Not choked up, not somewhat emotional. He was crying. It was a startling sight — after years of watching the man known for his coolness under pressure, for his analytic detachment — to see him suddenly wearing his heart on his rolled up sleeve.
What happened? What made the president — “No Drama Obama,” “President Spock” — suddenly crack?
It happened Wednesday, the day after he won re-election, when he stood before the staff at his Chicago campaign headquarters to thank them for the work that helped make his victory possible. “What you guys have done,” he said, “means that the work that I’m doing is important.” His right index finger quickly wiped away tears as they streamed down his cheek.
Perhaps Obama felt emotionally overpowered by what awaits him even before he finishes his first term. The country is careering toward the “fiscal cliff,” which really is the wrong term. It’s more a fiscal suicide (fiscacide?) if the government irresponsibly pushes the country into a self-inflicted recession, complete with a renewed rise in unemployment. Without an agreement with Republicans, Americans, including Obama supporters weeping with him in that room, will face higher taxes and across-the-board spending cuts.
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