We live in a complex world and at a challenging time.

The strongest democracies flourish from frequent and lively debate, but they endure when people of every background and belief find a way to set aside smaller differences in service of a greater purpose.

I do think that you're starting to see young people pay attention to some longterm issues that they feel Washington has neglected.

Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. And it will leave you unfulfilled.

I think if you worked at the community level in Chicago and then a politician on the South Side of Chicago, and worked at the state level, then you're pretty familiar with all the variations of politics in the African American community and criticisms you may get. If you're not familiar with those or you don't have a thick enough skin to take it, then you probably wouldn't have gotten here.

Where you are right now doesn't have to determine where you'll end up.

The United States believes that every nation should respect international law, including in the South China Sea.