The Obama for America Staff Ball

Click the arrow to begin navigating the slide show:

The final 2009 Inauguration celebration: a ball for the Obama for America staff, featuring entertainment by Arcade Fire and Jay-Z, and appearances by actor Kal Penn, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden and President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

"Just for tonight, revel in what you did," said Plouffe, looking out over a crowd of thousands of staff and their companions. "You elected the President of the United States of America. You changed the course of history." Plouffe said that for him all the hard work had led up to the moment when he could say, "President Barack Obama," whereupon the president and first lady walked onstage.

President Obama credited the success of his campaign to three key factors: Michelle their daughters Sasha and Malia, David Plouffe, and "you" - all of the campaign staff and volunteers. He said Plouffe exemplified "getting the job done" in service to a cause larger than oneself, an example that he said had been followed by the entire staff.

President Obama said, "Look at you. You guys are so young. Maybe it's because so many of you are so young, or young at heart, that you could imagine what hadn't been done before. You didn't know any
better when people said I couldn't win. [You said] Yes we can!"

Obama urged campaign staff to apply the idealistic, optimistic and service-oriented spirit of the campaign to the every aspect of their lives.