My central focus is what are we doing to protect the American people and the American homeland? Afghanistan and Pakistan are critical elements in that process.

I am going to be able to present to the incoming administration a country that is stronger. A federal government that is working better and more efficiently. A national security apparatus that is both more effective and truer to our values. Energy policies that are resulting in not just less pollution, but also more jobs.

We are running out of time

Today I am pledging to cut the deficit we inherited in half by the end of my first term in office.

What we should be asking is not whether we need a big government or small government, but how we can create a smarter and better government.

No discrimination, that's what we're about as a country.

I feel good when I'm engaged in what I think are the core issues of the society, and those core issues to me are what's happening to poor folks in this society.