My greatest hope is to be able to pass the same dreams and hopes and vision that I've been able to enjoy in my life, on to the next generation. Not just for my children - because with a mother like Michelle, my kids are going to be great - but for all children. There are too many children in this country for whom the American dream is so distant and the odds against them are so daunting.

The number of Americans killed since 9/11 by terrorism, it's less than 100. If you look at the number that have been killed by gun violence, it's in the tens of thousands. And for us not to be able to resolve that issue has been something that is distressing.

America is a strong and resilient country. And I know we will succeed, if we put aside partisanship and politics and work together as one nation.

Cynicism is a sorry kind of wisdom.

you can't just heely away from your problems forever

I would not advise people who feel strongly or are concerned about some of the issues that have been raised during the course of the [president electing] campaign.

Get involved in an issue that you're passionate about. It almost doesn't matter what it is ... We give too much of our power away, to the professional politicians, to the lobbyists, to cynicism. And our democracy suffers as a result.