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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Obama asks for ideas TO work for ‘true democracy’

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WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama called on Friday on the public to offer ideas on what he should do in retirement, pledging to work for “true democracy” as he exits the White House.


Just hours before handing over the leadership of the United States to Donald Trump, Obama said in tweets and a video with his wife Michelle that they were accepting ideas from the public for what his new presidential centre in Chicago should do going ahead.


“I won’t stop; I’ll be right there with you as a citizen, inspired by your voices of truth and justice, good humour, and love,” Obama tweeted.


“As we look forward, I want our first steps to reflect what matters most to you. Share your thoughts with me at http://Obama.org.”


In the video, Michelle said that the first order of business for the Obamas as private citizens will be “to take a little break.”


“We’re finally going to get some sleep. And take some time to be with our family, and just be still for a little bit.”


But then, they said, they will begin to work on projects out of Obama’s new presidential centre, which Obama described as a “living, working centre for citizenship.”


They asked people to send in their ideas on what they should to.


“Tell us about what we can achieve together,” said Michelle Obama.


“Tell us about the young leaders, and companies, and organisations that inspire you. This will be your presidential centre just as much as it will be ours.”


“So we want you to tell us what we should be thinking about.”


“True democracy is a project that is much bigger than any one of us,” Barack Obama added.


“It’s a job for all of us.”


Obama on Friday left the Oval Office for the last time, before welcoming Trump to the White House.


Obama walked into the Oval Office holding a letter, which he left on the Resolute desk, a 19th century gift from Queen Elizabeth that is made from the timber of a British arctic vessel.


It is customary for the outgoing president to leave a personal note for his successor.


Obama was to have morning tea with Trump before they make their way to the Capitol for the inauguration ceremony.


As Obama walked along the West Wing colonnade, when asked if he was feeling nostalgic, “Of course” was the reply.


Asked for last words for the American people, he offered a simple “Thank you.” When Obama arrived in the Oval Office eight years ago he found a note from his predecessor, George W Bush.


“Very few have had the honour of knowing the responsibility you now feel. Very few know the excitement of the moment and the challenges you will face,” it read.


“There will be trying moments. The critics will rage. Your ‘friends’ will disappoint you. But, you will have an Almighty God to comfort you, a family who loves you, and a country that is pulling for you, including me.” — AFP


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