There are some exceptions: Chicago, my hometown, in particular. But overall in the country this is a much safer place than it used to be.

As an elected official who comes from the African-American community, there are some similarities. You are always trying to reconcile your own personal biography and affiliations with the demands of the broader democracy. And you need to make sure you are representing everybody.

There was never a promise that race relations in America would be entirely resolved during my presidency or anybody's presidency. I mean, this has been a running thread - and - and fault line in American life and American politics since its founding.

America's strong bonds with Israel are well known - this bond is unbreakable.

There's no reason why Americans should die when Afghans are perfectly capable of defending their own country.

There are places I want to visit where if I'm wearing a baseball cap and some sunglasses I think I can get away with and mingle in a crowd.

If you give up on the idea that your voice can make a difference, then other voices will fill the void