On Thursday, United States President Barack Obama made a strong pitch for Hillary Clinton at the Democratic Convention being held in Philadelphia. In his rousing 45-minute speech, the US president, known for his oratory skills, praised Clinton casting her as a candidate who believes in the optimism that powers the nation’s democracy.
In his speech, he spoke of Hillary’s strength, evoking their contest eight years ago when they were both vying to become the Democratic nominee.
“We battled for a year and a half, let me tell you it was tough, because Hillary was tough. “She was doing everything I was doing, but just like Ginger Rogers, it was backwards and in heels.”
But, for those who remember it’s not always been rosy and a sheer lovefest between the two. In fact, in 2008 during the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, when the moderator asked Clinton whether she had the personal appeal to best her opponent, Obama snippily interjected with, “You’re likable enough, Hillary.”
Take a look at the relationship between the two.
Bow down before her! Is that a mark of respect for who could be the next US President? Obama greets Hillary at the Democratic Convention where he praised her to the tee. A small thank you would suffice Hillary. Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters
I’ll be your shoulder to cry on: Obama hugs former secretary of state Hillary Clinton after funeral services for the Reverend Clementa Pinckney, who died during a mass shooting in Charleston, South Carolina. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
Come together! US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton walk back to the Oval Office after a statement following the death of the US Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and others, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington in 2012. Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters
Making history: This photograph is a photo for the ages. It’s the moment the US president along with VP and other members, including secretary of state witnessed the killing of Al Qaeda head Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan. This moment kind of summed up the long, tortuous quest to find bin Laden. Photograph: Pete Souze/White House/Handout/Reuters
What’s so funny, eh? The US president and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton share a laugh while on their tour of Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo in 2009. Photograph: Larry Downing/Reuters
One day I’ll be where you are! Was this a sign of things to come? Obama looks over his shoulder as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton walks in for a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao in 2009. Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters
Smile please! US Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton wave at a campaign rally in Orlando in 2008. This was after Clinton ceded defeat to Obama during the Democratic party’s presidential nomination. Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters
How can we best those Republicans? US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama and Clinton discuss strategy after the two took the first step toward healing the wounds of their bruising presidential nominating fight. Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters
Can she defeat me? Obama is lost in thought as he views Clinton giving a speech at the Democrat convention in Montana in 2008. Well, we all know what happened at the end and who won and who lost, don’t we? Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters
Can’t bear to look at each other: Talk about being frosty with each other. The two shared really cold vibes with each other during the CNN/Nevada Democratic Party debate in 2007 as they went head on against each other to run for president. Photograph: Steve Marcus/Reuters
