Dad contest thru June 26
Article posted: 11/9/2012 9:53 AM

Changing times: Politicians’ tears more common now

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Tears run down the cheek of President Barack Obama as he speaks at his final campaign stop on the evening before the 2012 election, in the downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Barack Obama isn't the only world leader unashamed or unable to avoid being seen crying in public.

Associated Press

The enduring image of Margaret Thatcher's departure from office is the tearful face captured by photographers in 1990 as she left the prime minister's official residence at 10 Downing Street for the last time after 11 years as prime minister.

Associated Press file photo

In 1972, Sen. Edmund Muskie, D-Maine, denounces conservative Manchester Union Leader publisher William Loeb in front of the newspaper's Manchester, N.H., building. Muskie's emotional speech came as he campaigned for the New Hampshire primary and the Democratic presidential nomination, which slid off the tracks after it was reported that he had cried in response to the newspaper's attack on his wife. Muskie sustained until his death that it had been melted snowflakes, not a tear, in his eye.

Associated Press File photo

As Speaker of the House, Republican John Boehner holds one of the most powerful positions in the U.S. government — and he cries so frequently that Twitter jokesters have taken to calling him the weeper of the house. He tears up easily, particularly when talking about the American dream.

Associated Press

FILE This Sunday, March 4, 2012 file photo shows Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is a judo fan and hunting aficionado known in part for his physical fitness. But that didn't stop him from welling up with tears in March after he was returned to power in a difficult election battle marred by public protests.

Associated Press

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It seems out of place: The president of the United States breaking down in tears as he thanked campaign workers for their tireless work for his re-election. But Barack Obama isn't the only world leader unashamed to be seen crying in public — or simply unable to avoid it. Attitudes seem to have changed since the early 1970s, when an alleged crying incident during the presidential primary season went a long way toward derailing the candidacy of a Maine senator.
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    • Tears run down the cheek of President Barack Obama as he speaks at his final campaign stop on the evening before the 2012 election, in the downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Barack Obama isn’t the only world leader unashamed or unable to avoid being seen crying in public.
    • The enduring image of Margaret Thatcher’s departure from office is the tearful face captured by photographers in 1990 as she left the prime minister’s official residence at 10 Downing Street for the last time after 11 years as prime minister.
    • In 1972, Sen. Edmund Muskie, D-Maine, denounces conservative Manchester Union Leader publisher William Loeb in front of the newspaper’s Manchester, N.H., building. Muskie’s emotional speech came as he campaigned for the New Hampshire primary and the Democratic presidential nomination, which slid off the tracks after it was reported that he had cried in response to the newspaper’s attack on his wife. Muskie sustained until his death that it had been melted snowflakes, not a tear, in his eye.
    • As Speaker of the House, Republican John Boehner holds one of the most powerful positions in the U.S. government — and he cries so frequently that Twitter jokesters have taken to calling him the weeper of the house. He tears up easily, particularly when talking about the American dream.
    • FILE This Sunday, March 4, 2012 file photo shows Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is a judo fan and hunting aficionado known in part for his physical fitness. But that didn’t stop him from welling up with tears in March after he was returned to power in a difficult election battle marred by public protests.
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