President Obama: But I’m not just here today to sing President Clinton’s praises, or to commend all of you for the terrific work that each of you have done — although I am grateful for that. I am here to play an even more important role, and that is to introduce my better half: my extraordinary wife, and America’s extraordinary First Lady, Michelle Obama. (Applause.)
Now, Bill Clinton understands where I’m coming from here. (Laughter.) He knows what it’s like to be married to somebody who’s smarter — (laughter) — somebody who’s better looking — (laughter) — somebody who’s just all around a little more impressive than you are. (Laughter and applause.) Right? It’s — this is not news to people. (Laughter.)
Since Michelle and I first started dating 22 years ago, pretty much everybody I know who’s met her at some point comes up to me and says, you know, Barack, you’re great and all, I like you, but your wife, now, she’s really something. (Laughter.) And I, of course, agree. They’re right. And I feel grateful that Michelle so far, at least, has not run for any offices I’ve been running for. (Laughter.) She would beat me thoroughly.
…..And while I get plenty of good advice from a lot of people during the course of the day, at the end of each day, it is Michelle — her moral voice, her moral center — that cuts through all the noise in Washington and reminds me of why I’m there in the first place.
…..And while I am tremendously proud of the First Lady that she’s been for this country, at the end of the day I’m most grateful that she’s been such a partner to me, and the best mother that I know.
Every moment that I spend with my daughters, I am thankful for all that she’s done to make them who they are. Every day, I see her strength and her kindness and her character reflected in the two of them. And there is no greater gift — and I know Bill feels the same way about when he looks at Chelsea, he sees this incredible force that a mother can bring.
To this day, I still don’t know how I talked her into marrying me, but I know that I am the luckiest guy in the world that she did. So it is with that that I would like to introduce you to my first lady, America’s First Lady, Michelle Obama. (Applause.)
Full text of President Obama’s introduction and Michelle Obama’s speech here
The Obama Diary 
Chipsticks, thanks so much for that. If you get a hold of it, I’d really love to see the whole introduction AND Mrs. Obama’s speech. I missed it.
Thanks for all you do. It’s always a joy coming here.
Hey Hachikō, it should be up on YouTube soon – will find it and post it here, promise!
Thank you for posting the link to the full video. It was wonderful!
Beautiful…brought tears to my eyes!
The words of the full introductory speech I mean, as posted by Chipsticks. Can’t wait to see the video!
H1 Chipsticks,
The full video is up on the Clinton Global Initiative website….
http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org/ourmeetings/2010/meeting_annual_multimedia_player.asp?id=22&Section=OurMeetings&PageTitle=Multimedia
D’oh!
You already have the link. You are so on the ball Chipsticks.
😉 Thanks Donna
I love what the President had to say about his better half. I love seeing those two together.
I do think that former President Clinton wishes that he and Hillary had what our beloved President and his wife have–true love.