We start this new year in the midst of an economic crisis unlike we have seen in our lifetime.

It's important to listen to what scientists have to say, even when it's inconvenient, especially when it's inconvenient

Alongside my own deep personal faith, I am a follower, as well, of our civic religion. I am a big believer in the separation of church and state.

I am confident that we will one day end the scourge of modern slavery, because I believe in those committed to this issue.

Because our right to worship freely and safely, that right was denied to Christians in Charleston, South Carolina, and that was denied Jews in Kansas City, and that was denied Muslims in Chapel Hill, and Sikhs in Oak Creek. They had rights too. Our right to peaceful assembly, that right was robbed from movie goers in Aurora and Lafayette.

[Michelle Obama] used to say to our friends, "Barack's exactly the kind of guy I want to be president. I just wish he didn't want to do it when I was married to him."

For decades, our differences with Iran meant that our governments almost never spoke to each other. Ultimately, that did not advance America's interests.