Obama’s Backyard Bash

Obama spoke, from a written text, at a podium set up on the State Floor balcony of the South Portico. His wife and daughters were at his side. Arrayed behind them were 21 servicemen and one woman, selected by their own branches of the Armed Forces and praised by the president as “heroes.” Obama took note of the special significance that July Fourth has for one member of his family, daughter Malia, who turned 11 today (and sported a bright American flag face-painting on her right cheek). Malia “is just thrilled that you are all here,” her father said. “When she was young, I used to say that all these fireworks were for her. I’m not sure she buys that” any more. (The girls were on prominent display at the family-friendly event. At one point, the First Lady gently picked up Sasha’s hand to encourage her to wave; after his remarks, Obama kissed the birthday girl on the head). Obama compared his party to similar bashes in “backyards. all across America” and saluted what it means to be an American and the extraordinary effort it took to create the country 233 years ago. As the Marine Band (which heralded Obama’s arrival with a series of tunes, including Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever”) cued up its medley of service anthems, a man in the crowd shouted, “You’re the man, Mr. President.” That brought a smile from Obama and a big round of applause and cheers from the audience.