Biden expletive captures emotions at health signing

But he was clearly heard above a gale of applause on television microphones,just after paying a gushing tribute to Obama in a signing ceremony in the East Room of the White House,teeming with lawmakers,political aides and cameramen.

The expletive quickly became a big deal,as cable news channels went into overdrive,and one Internet entrepreneur immediately printed the quote on a tee-shirt and hawked it online.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs played down the latest gaffe by America8217;s infamously loose-lipped vice president.

8220;And yes,Mr Vice President,you8217;re right,8221; he wrote on his twitter feed.

But beneath the wild party mood,the ceremony for the legislation sent to Obama8217;s desk by Congress on Sunday after a fierce political fight was bittersweet for some.

Like Vicki Kennedy,the widow of health care crusader Senator Edward Kennedy,who died of brain cancer last year.

And 11-year-old Marcelas Owens,whose mom died because she lacked medical care,and has become a poignant spokesman for reform. He was by Obama8217;s side as he signed the bill.

Campaigners have fought for generations for universal health care coverage,since the early 20th century days of president Theodore Roosevelt,who looked down on the ceremony from a huge portrait hung on the wall.

Emotions began spilling over as the invited audience waited for Obama to show up,seated by three crystal chandeliers in the ornate room. Top lawmakers,who fought to pass the bill,slapped backs and hugged.

Some were like children on a school trip,posing for photographs in front of the president8217;s podium.

As Obama and Biden walked into the room,the crowd sang the president8217;s campaign chants 8220;Yes We Can8221; and 8220;Fired Up,Ready to Go,8221; and gave them a prolonged standing ovation.

Biden then offered Obama an intensely personal tribute.

8220;History is made when a leader8217;s passion 8212; passion 8211;is matched with principle to set a new course. Well,ladies and gentlemen,Mr. President,you are that leader,8221; Biden said,as Obama looked on embarrassed.

8220;Everybody knows the story,starting with Teddy Roosevelt. They8217;ve tried. They were real bold leaders. But,President,they fell short.8221;

In his own speech,Obama dwelt on his mother8217;s fatal cancer fight at some times smiling,but at others looking wistful and almost distant,as if the magnitude of his achievement was just sinking in.

Obama said the bill was proof that America had not lost the ability to think big.

8220;We don8217;t shrink from our responsibilities. We embrace it. We don8217;t fear the future. We shape the future. That8217;s what we do. That8217;s who we are.8221;

Signing the bill,Obama sat at a desk beside Representative John Dingell,who had hobbled in on crutches,waving one triumphantly in the air. Dingell arrived in Congress in 1955 and has fought ever since for universal health insurance.

To his right was Owens,with Biden8217;s hands on his shoulders,and at one point Obama appeared moved as he gazed across at the boy and signed his name with 20 separate pens to preserve the moment for posterity.

Republicans opposed the signing ceremony en masse and who hope yesterday8217;s event marks the moment that Democrats will have bound themselves to an unpopular big government 8220;power grab,8221; were nowhere to be seen.

8220;We8217;ve heard a lot today about how historic this bill is,and it8217;s true,8221; said Republican National Committee RNC chairman Michael Steele in a statement.

8220;It is an historic betrayal of the clear will of the American people. It is an historic loss of liberty.8221;

House Republican leader John Boehner added: 8220;This is a somber day for the American people. Americans have never felt more disconnected from their government than they do today.8221;