Obama hugs Michelle, and makes Facebook history

Google – AFP, Marianne Barriaux, 7 November 2012 

A view of Barack Obama's victory tweet (AFP, Lionel Bonaventure)

WASHINGTON — It was a moving photo like countless others on Facebook, but the caption "four more years" said it all -- US President Barack Obama had won re-election, and was about to make social media history.

After a months-long, gruelling presidential campaign fought both off- and online, Obama sealed his tech-savvy reputation late Tuesday by announcing his victory over Republican foe Mitt Romney on Twitter and Facebook with the photo.

US President Barack Obama and First Lady

 Michelle Obama acknowledge supporters

 (AFP, Jewel Samad)

By early Wednesday, the shot of a smiling Obama holding his wife Michelle in a loving embrace had already broken records on both social networks -- bringing to a climax a hard-fought online campaign for supporters and votes.

"This Barack Obama photo is the most-liked Facebook photo of all time," the social network announced Wednesday, as it clocked up more than 3.5 million "likes".

The picture was actually taken in August in Iowa, at a time when a weary president seemed to lack the necessary spark to win re-election.

Wearing a simple red-and-white checked dress with a blue belt, the First Lady had joined her husband at the end of an exhausting three-day bus tour of the Midwest, giving his battered political brand a timely jolt of energy.

Not only had she appeared to reinvigorate the president, but her dress also drew countless comments, reportedly purchased for just under $90 on online fashion store ASOS.com.

On Twitter, the photo of the 44th US president hugging his wife had been retweeted 714,800 times mid-Wednesday, far outpacing singer Justin Bieber whose tribute to a fan who died of cancer held the previous record in popularity.

The president's emotional announcements on Twitter and Facebook mark the culmination of a sophisticated, months-long social media campaign that has seen Obama's team work the popular platforms hard to garner supporters and votes.

Social networks emerged as key tools in the US presidential campaign, with both Obama and his Republican foe Mitt Romney staging major pushes on the platforms.

But while Romney has increased his presence hugely on social media compared to 2008 Republican presidential candidate John McCain, Obama is seen as having retained the upper hand from his successful online campaign four years ago.

Zach Green, head of Twitter political consultants 140Elect, said the president's 2012 campaign "broke new ground."

"Four more years."
(Barack Obama victory tweet most
retweeted ever)

"The picture said it all -- it made everyone feel closer to the campaign in a way that hasn't been done before," he said.

Obama's team blanketed many platforms, from the better-known Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, to blogging platform Tumblr and Pinterest -- the latest phenomenon that allows users to post and share photos put together by theme.

They also carried out innovative initiatives, such as Twitter town halls with the president or his top advisors that allowed anyone on the social network to ask them questions.

Obama also checked in on social news site Reddit in August to have a live chat with the public on issues as varied as hurricane relief efforts, the space program and Internet freedom.

And just hours before polls began to close in states around the country Tuesday, he took to Reddit again to appeal for votes, and kept tweeting through the evening to remind people to cast their ballots.

"It's really about a connected relationship with him, it doesn't feel like he's just someone out there, there is connectedness," said Green, pointing out that the Obama camp tweeted far more often than Romney's team.

"It shows that the model of very active engagement, having a loud voice seems to be effective," he added.

"But it's hard to prove that he wouldn't have won without this."

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SaLuSa: November 9, 2012 – (Channeled by Mike Quinsey) - New

“…. The long wait is over and Obama is aware of what is expected of him, and is the man for the job. Like every other soul he has been working towards this time in his life to achieve the main objective of his soul plan.

He will soon be set up and able to go ahead with changes that he knows are necessary to take humankind forward. We have been in constant touch with him and he has been frequently briefed as to what his role is.

Several legal actions are about to be taken that will see the real start of the removal of the top members of the Illuminati. That will effectively remove the last vestiges of power that they hold, and put paid to their last hopes of holding on. It will then allow a more general clear out of the dark Ones at the lower levels. …”

SaLuSa: November 5, 2012 – (Channeled by Mike Quinsey)

“In the U.S. the Presidential elections are coming to a close, and President Obama will return to power to take you all into the Golden Age.”

“So far you have seen little of his real abilities or desire to bring about World Peace. The dark Ones may have used their methods to appoint their choice, but we of the Light are not without our way of making sure our choice succeeds this time around. It is a victory that is assured.”

This Election Will Clear the Way for Obama  – Nov 5, 2012 (Archangel Michael channeled by Linda Dillon)

“This will be an election that clears the way for Obama to step into his role to co-create the New Earth. So, yes, he will and he does have the support that he will need in order to play his role.

“But if everything went awry, we need to emphasize that this does not change the roles and missions of each of you but more importantly of Barack Obama and his team. This will go forward.”

SanJAsKa: Smile, For You Have Manifested Your New World – Nov 6, 2012 (Channelled through Wes Annac)

“… The successful re-election of President Obama in the United States will clear the path for the Light Forces to begin working openly and broadly on many Lighted and humanitarian projects that President Obama has been behind without the majority of your world knowing he has been a part of these projects, and the doubt about the Light signature of this soul will completely fade whenever his role in bringing your New World forth is revealed.

Without divulging too much sensitive information at this time, we can say that the President Obama has been playing much bolder and more direct of a role than many dear souls realize at present.

By the time you dear souls absorb this communication, the soul known as Barack Obama will indeed have been re-elected and his re-election will again, signal the beginning of many changes that you dear souls have wished to see for so very long but it is important to express that while President Obama has been and will be a significant bringer of Lighted change to your world, it is still you dear souls who must do all that you can to enact this change for yourselves, as your United States President is only one soul. …”