In a video released by the Obama campaign, President Obama blinks back tears and wipes his eyes as he thanks his campaign staff for working so hard to re-elect him as president.

Hearkening back to his days as a community organizer, Obama told them that they were “smarter” and “more effective” than he ever was when he was a young man.

“I’m really proud of all of you,” he said haltingly, wiping away a tear from his face. “What you guys have accomplished will go on in the annals of history, and people will read about it and marvel at it.”