We reject the use of national security letters to spy on citizens who are not suspected of a crime.

In fact, the American people did decide, back in 2012, when they elected me president of the United States.

At least Romney and McCain, they respect the rule of law. At least Romney and McCain, they understand their limitations.

Being attentive to inequality and not tone deaf to it. But offering prescriptions that are actually going to help folks in communities that feel forgotten. That's going to be our most important strategy. And I think we can successfully do that.

I think that when it comes to Social Security, all of us want to make sure that our senior citizens can retire with dignity and respect. And everybody has to be open-minded in thinking how do we firm up a system that, in fact, is going to be in difficulty in the coming years.

What I could not support was a dumb war, a rash war, a war based not on reason but on passion, not on principle but on politics.

People don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better.