SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — President Barack Obama is reminiscing about his days in the Illinois legislature and his first lessons in politics.

Obama says one of his first speeches as young lawmaker was eloquent and passionate and that he was "feeling pretty good" about himself.

Then a party leader came by to throw cold water. Obama says the leader told him, "I think you changed a lot of minds, but you didn't change any votes."

Obama says the moment was his first lesson in humility.

The president is addressing the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield, speaking on the importance of political cooperation and bipartisanship.