We're not going to put the cart before the horse and just think by sending more troops, we're automatically going to make Americans safe.

That support has been so constant and gracious and loving. Michelle and I have never felt as if, at any stage, folks didn't have our backs. And as a consequence, I think that just spurred us on that much more to make us want to do the right thing, and do our best in the positions that we have.

There is a reason why George Washington is always one of the top three presidents, and it's not because of his prowess as a military leader; it's not because of the incredible innovations in policy that he introduced. It's because he knew when it was time to go.

We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity.

Buy health insurance, or go to jail.

It's one of the biggest benefits of being president that you really don't think about until you get here.

I have no interest in increasing the size of government. I just want to make sure we have got a smart government that is regulating, for example, the financial institutions smartly, so I don't have to engage in any kind of bank bailouts.