Story highlights Two of Obama's sometimes critics from the Senate offer kind words

Both strike a similar note

Washington (CNN) In the final days of President Barack Obama's second term, a couple of his critics took a moment to express some kind words.

Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, and Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, told CNN's Wolf Blitzer in separate interviews Wednesday that Obama brought "dignity" to the nation's highest office.

Cotton, a junior senator and frequent critic of Obama's national security decisions, said: "President Obama has been a good role model for young men throughout our society, especially people like him who grew up without a father."

"I think the kind of quiet dignity that he's brought to the private side of his life sets a really good example for young men all around the country who maybe don't have a father-figure or don't have a role model they can look up to," Cotton said.

Sen. Tom Cotton: "Obama has been a good role model for young men throughout our society" https://t.co/6OZtrfIwim https://t.co/hWUyV7Ofr6 — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 18, 2017

And Manchin, a moderate Democrat from a conservative state, sized up Obama's legacy in a few words.

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