In the end, that's what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope? Barack Obama cynicismelectionend Change image and share on social
Now, as a nation, we don't promise equal outcomes, but we were founded on the idea everybody should have an equal opportunity to succeed. No matter who you are, what you look like, where you come from, you can make it. That's an essential promise of America. Where you start should not determine where you end up. Barack Obama americadetermineend share on social
We all knew this. We all knew that it would take more time than any of us want to dig ourselves out of this hole created by this economic crisis. Barack Obama createcrisisdig Change image and share on social
We also can't try to take over and rebuild every country that falls into crisis. That's not leadership; that's a recipe for quagmire, spilling American blood and treasure that ultimately weakens us. It's the lesson of Vietnam, of Iraq - and we should have learned it by now. Barack Obama americanbloodcountry share on social
But what we can do, as flawed as we are, is still see God in other people, and do our best to help them find their own grace. That's what I strive to do, that's what I pray to do every day. Barack Obama dayfindflawed Change image and share on social
Whether our forebears were strangers who crossed the Atlantic or the Pacific or the Rio Grande, we are here only because this country welcomed them in and taught them that to be an American is about something more than what we look like, or what our last names are, or how we worship. Barack Obama americanatlanticcountry share on social
After 2014, we will support a unified Afghanistan as it takes responsibility for its own future. Barack Obama afghanistanfutureresponsibility Change image and share on social
We know that the nation that goes all-in on innovation today will own the global economy tomorrow. This is an edge America cannot surrender. Barack Obama americaeconomyedge Change image and share on social
That's the good thing about being president, I can do whatever I want. Barack Obama goodpresidentthing Change image and share on social
I will never turn Medicare into a voucher. No American should ever have to spend their golden years at the mercy of insurance companies. They should retire with the care and dignity they have earned. Barack Obama americancarecompany Change image and share on social