Barack Obama actually said...

"They appear to be motivated in part because the president doesn't like to lose and never admits loss."

"They appear to be motivated, in part, because the president doesn't like to lose and never admits loss. I'm more troubled by the fact that other Republican officials who clearly know better are going ..."

"The president doesn't like to lose and never admits loss. I'm more troubled by the fact that other Republican officials who clearly know better are going along with this, are humoring him in this fash..."

"The presidency and the vice presidency is bigger than any of us. So, I have instructed my team to work as hard as we can to make sure that this is a successful transition for the president-elect."