"Teach 'em how to say goodbye...One last time!"
That lyric from Lin Manuel Miranda's Broadway masterpiece Hamilton -- sung to George Washington -- became somewhat of a rallying cry for supporters of President Barack Obama on one of the first stops of his farewell tour: his last State of the Union address.
And though Obama is entering his last year in office with an approval rating of only 47%, the emotional significance of the speech couldn't be higher.
Obama's Twitter account plugged the speech on Twitter and Facebook with a meme-able photo of the president straightening the tie and dramatic videos — including one ad spot set to music worthy of a Vin Diesel action thriller billing an exciting conclusion to Obama's time in office with suspense like this: "He inherited two wars, walked into the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and faced unprecedented obstacles."
Tonight—it's going to be a good time. Don't miss the State of the Union. https://t.co/yC2x4ODfBa #SOTU pic.twitter.com/9FUNGoRp8Z— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 12, 2016
Unsurprisingly Obama's SOTU address highlighted his solutions to those problems and what he considers to be the successes of his president. But as he addressed the challenges the country will face in " a time of extraordinary change," his speech was in many ways a callback to his 2008 campaign, which was rooted in a rhetoric of change and hope.
After the #SOTU, I think I'll watch some of those early speeches from 2008/2009 again, so that I can remember that era of hope, again.— deray mckesson (@deray) January 13, 2016
While Obama's popularity has fallen since the early days of his presidency — his approval ratings reached an all-time high when Obama first took office in January 2009 — there's certainly still a contingent clinging onto the hope of the 2008 campaign, celebrating what many call the successes that took place during Obama's presidency — including the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the legalization of same-sex marriage, and the fact that he was the first African American president.
TONIGHT: @POTUS delivers his final State of the Union. Watch it here at 9pm ET → https://t.co/7ZgBUWqyl1 #SOTU https://t.co/xwwoqXvu6o— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 12, 2016
Obama received his fair share of criticism and hate on social media during the speech, but Obama supporters — from celebrities to average Joes (but maybe not Joe the Plumber...) — are eating up the nostalgia. Using hashtags #getitdone, #onelasttime and #yeswecan —Obama's 2008 campaign slogan — supporters logged onto Twitter in droves to thank the president for the past seven years.
I'm treating this last State of the Union just like my first - because I'm still just as hungry. I hope you tune in, because it's for you.— President Obama (@POTUS) January 13, 2016
Oh #POTUS how I shall miss you! #getitdone— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 13, 2016
This @POTUS is one of a kind, and that makes me sad. There is still so much more to do. #SOTU #getitdone— Jahni M. A. Smith (@JahniMASmith) January 13, 2016
Surreal. I kinda can't believe that's his last SOTU. Well done Sir. @POTUS #SOTU— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) January 13, 2016
Damn, I’m gonna miss these guys. Thank you Joe. Thank you Barack. Our words will never be enough. Thank you. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/oEcwxLopOX— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) January 13, 2016
"I wanna warn against partisan fighting..." #hamilbama— Christian Holub (@cmholub) January 13, 2016
Loving #POTUS's passionate rebuttal of cynicism. Don't shrug your shoulders, roll up your sleeves. Be the change. #YesWeCan #SOTU— John M. Becker (@freedom2marry) January 13, 2016
"We secured the freedom in every state to marry the person we love.” YES WE DID! #yeswecan #SOTU— Amber Marlow (@theAmberShow) January 13, 2016
#finaladdress What an amazing 8 years this has been. We so desperately needed a leader and we got one. #change #yeswecan Thank you @POTUS— Tatyana Ali (@TatyanaAli) January 13, 2016
.@POTUS: Anti-Muslim bias "betrays who we are as a country." It corrodes us, and holds us back. YES. #SOTU— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) January 13, 2016
i'm so sad Obama's term is coming to an end. he's been a blessing to the United States. #SOTU— Will Shepherd (@shep689) January 13, 2016
Now, that is how you teach them how to say goodbye. #onelasttime #Ham4SOTU #sotu #getitdone #wethepeople #ImagineGov— Donya (@Donyala) January 13, 2016
Thought @POTUS was gonna go w/ "clear eyes, full hearts...can't lose" #Almost #SOTU #OneLastTime— Diana Bonete (@DianaBonete) January 13, 2016
I hope Obama drops the mic at the end of his State of the Union address. And dabs on 'em for good measure. #SOTU— Karen Attiah (@KarenAttiah) January 13, 2016
Thanks to @POTUS, 18 million Americans are covered under the ACA. We won't put their health care into the hands of Republicans. #SOTU— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 13, 2016
18 MILLION MORE AMERICANS have health coverage. Let's just stop for a moment and appreciate the magnitude of that achievement! #SOTU— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) January 13, 2016
Having lost 3 of my closest friends to cancer in recent months, I commend @potus & @vp for launching effort to #makecancerhistory. #SOTU— Madeleine Albright (@madeleine) January 13, 2016
.@POTUS' candor is why I voted for him twice. Go get 'em, Barry. #SOTU— Vinny Vaillancourt (@vtothepowerof2) January 13, 2016
I don't often get political...but tonight I have to! @BarackObama knock it out of the park tonight sir! Let's finish strong! #SOTU #USA— Wingnut (@WingnutONAir) January 12, 2016
Waiting 4 start of President Obama's *final* state of union address... He's not out of office yet but I already feel nostalgic! @POTUS— Tammy L. Brown, PhD (@browntammy) January 13, 2016
This #SOTU is @POTUS in his element: talking to the American people with abounding optimism. All I can say is #THANKSOBAMA.— John McCarthy (@JohnWMcCarthy) January 13, 2016
Proud to say #ImWithHer, but tonight will also be grateful to have gotten to work for @POTUS as he accomplished so much. #ThanksObama— Christina Reynolds (@creynoldsnc) January 13, 2016
When you nail your last #SOTU intro pic.twitter.com/LHrriMWXkD— Bustle (@bustle) January 13, 2016
Makes me feel hopeful for continued progress. #ThanksObama, for all you've done for hard-working American families. https://t.co/s0EpZSoVg4— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) January 12, 2016
I ❤️ @POTUS! Sad this is his final #SOTU. He's been a leader with fierce moral courage.— Rabbi Latz (@RavMABAY) January 13, 2016
To quote Mr. President AND @Lin_Manuel.... One Last Time, indeed! #SOTU16 #HereWeGo!— Tracie Thoms (@traciethoms) January 13, 2016
@BarackObama You've done an amazing job as President. I know you're not leaving yet, but I still want to show my gratitude and appreciation.— Elizabeth Salamone (@MoonlightsSong) January 12, 2016
Go get 'em boss. Couldn't be prouder. #sotu #OneLastTime— Danielle Kantor (@daniellekantor) January 13, 2016
I may get emotional #SOTU #OneLastTime https://t.co/qD35bHbBtQ— Diana Bonete (@DianaBonete) January 13, 2016
@BarackObama it is not the last time, because your mission and your voice will be for ever in our heart and our lives, thank you to your job— Olga (@Olga25492558) January 12, 2016
@BarackObama Thank you isn't enough for what you saved this country from & starting to build the 21st century economy— Bobby Copeland (@bobby_copeland) January 12, 2016
But, honestly, some people were just in it for the "Hamilton" references. Thanks to The New Yorker TV critic Emily Nussbaum and some other Lin Manuel-Miranda superfans, #hamilbama turned snippets of Obama's speech into lyrics from the Broadway musical.
One last time. #SOTU https://t.co/Fu9YeOQG9D— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 12, 2016
Just... please know that millions of #Hamilton fans nationwide are playing #OneLastTime in our heads this evening. #TeachThemHowToSayGoodbye— Ebony Elizabeth (@Ebonyteach) January 12, 2016
❤️ You Hamiltweeted the #SOTU ! https://t.co/99bmoG0lAC— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 13, 2016
"Just ask Osama Bin Laden. 'Uh, do what you want—I'm super-dead!" #hamilbama— emily nussbaum (@emilynussbaum) January 13, 2016
He's a General, wheeeee! #hamilbama RT @bruce_arthur: JOE IS IN CHARGE OF MISSION CONTROL— alicia belsky (@UWBelsky) January 13, 2016
Just like his country, he's young, scrappy, and hungry. #hamilbama https://t.co/50vGSWxaXO— m. (@mreils) January 13, 2016
DAY MADE. @BarackObama quoting @HamiltonMusical. #SOTU #OneLastTime https://t.co/ybO32qouBW— rebecca lipson (@rebeccalipson) January 12, 2016