"I'm just a messenger here today, letting everybody here know that you are not alone, that you've got folks behind you."
After touring the tornado damage in Oklahoma, on Sunday, President Barack Obama found himself in an all-too-familiar role: consoler in chief. From Tucson to Newtown, Joplin to Moore, Obama's visits to cities and towns torn apart by tragedy have become an important, if sadly routine, part of his presidency.
"Whenever I come to an area that's been devastated by some natural disaster like this, I want to make sure everybody understands I'm speaking on behalf of the entire country," Obama said, standing where the Plaza Towers Elementary School once stood. "Everywhere, fellow Americans are praying with you."
"This is a strong community with strong character," he continued. "There's no doubt they're going to bounce back."
A little over a month ago at a church in Boston's South End, the president delivered a similar message in the wake of the marathon bombings.
"Scripture tells us to run with endurance the race that is set before us," Obama said at the interfaith service. "This doesn't stop us. And that's what you've taught us, Boston. That's what you've reminded us, to push on. To persevere. To not grow weary. To not get faint. Even when it hurts. Even when our heart aches. We summon the strength that maybe we didn't even know we had, and we carry on. We finish the race."
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