Crooning Obama woos NY crowd

US: After taking some brickbats from liberals over a tough three years, President Barack Obama burst into song to woo supporters before pleading with them to boost his reelection bid.

"I'm ..... so in love with you," Obama crooned in melodic falsetto tones at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem late Thursday, in homage to soul legend Al Green who was in the audience for a fundraising event. "Those guys didn't think I would do it," a beaming Obama told the crowd after his impromptu serenade, apparently referring to aides offstage.

"I told you I was going to do it." Further lyrics of Green's 1971 hit "Let's Stay Together" -- which Obama did not sing -- could serve as a metaphor for his ties to grassroots Democrats: "loving you for ever is what I need/Oh let me be the one you come running to." Obama needs a strong turnout from the Democratic Party base if he is to win reelection in November at a time of high unemployment and economic pain. AFP