In a fawning report on Wednesday's NBC Today on President Obama winning re-election, correspondent Kristen Welker provided gauzy commentary: "...the Chicago crowd was electrified as the President delivered a soaring speech in which he thanked all those who supported him, including his family....The President's daughters are a little taller, his hair grayer, but in his speech, Mr. Obama sounded a lot like the man America first elected four years ago." [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]
Welker touted how "the President struck a tone of healing" and "joked that unlike 2008, the first daughters will not be getting a dog this year." She also noted that one of Obama's first phone calls "was to former President Bill Clinton, of course, one of his top surrogates during this campaign season."
On Tuesday's Today, Welker gushed over Obama's "nostalgia" at his final campaign event in Iowa, "...the state which gave Mr. Obama his first 2008 victory, launching his improbable and historic journey."
Here is a full transcript of Welker's November 11 report:
7:03AM ET
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: NBC's Kristen Welker had a late night covering President Obama's campaign, and she joins us this morning from Chicago. Kristen, good morning to you.
KRISTEN WELKER: Good morning to you, Savannah. Well, President Obama is waking up as a two-term president. A lot of people said it wouldn't be possible because of the stagnant economy, but he was able to rally his core constituents, women, African-Americans, young voters, who turned out in force to send him back to the White House. A triumphant President Obama walked out to a jubilant crowd to claim victory, his wife and children by his side as he savored his hard-fought re-election.
BARACK OBAMA: A long campaign is now over. And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and you've made me a better president.
WELKER: The campaign was long and bitter, and the most expensive in history, but the President struck a tone of healing.
OBAMA: I just spoke with Governor Romney and I congratulated him and Paul Ryan on a hard-fought campaign. We may have battled fiercely, but it's only because we love this country deeply.
WELKER: The President pledged to meet with Mr. Romney to try to come up with ways to bring the country together. At his Boston headquarters, the Republican candidate spoke for only five minutes, also calling for unity.
MITT ROMNEY : The nation, as you know, is at a critical point. At a time like this we can't risk partisan bickering and political posturing. Our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the people's work
WELKER: The stagnant economy was the top issue for voters and almost scuttled the President's re-election. Mr. Obama telling the nation he got the message.
OBAMA: You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the challenges we can only solve together.
OBAMA: Sasha and Malia, before our very eyes you're growing up to become two strong, smart, beautiful young women, just like your mom. Michelle, I have never loved you more. I have never been prouder to watch the rest of America fall in love with you, too, as our nation's first lady.
WELKER: The President's daughters are a little taller, his hair grayer, but in his speech, Mr. Obama sounded a lot like the man America first elected four years ago.
OBAMA: We remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are and forever will be the United States of America!
WELKER: Now the President also joked that unlike 2008, the first daughters will not be getting a dog this year. On a more serious note, according to a campaign adviser, the very first phone call that President Obama made after Governor Romney called him to concede was to former President Bill Clinton, of course, one of his top surrogates during this campaign season. The Obamas will head back to the White House a little bit later on today. Matt.
OBAMA: Alright, Kristen Welker covering the campaign from Chicago this morning.
