I think the American people can change Washington. But I think that it is not going to change, because somebody from on high directs that change.

When I turn over the keys to the president-elect, America will be much stronger than it was when I came into office.

I can't really characterize any country, except to say that we work well with a number of our foreign counterparts.

One of the things I think I can bring to the presidency is to make government and public service cool again.

There is a theory that basically says that we can shred regulations and consumer protections and give more and more to the most, and somehow prosperity will trickle down. It hasn't worked. And I think that the fundamentals of the economy have to be measured by whether or not the middle class is getting a fair shake.

Scientists and engineers ought to stand side by side with athletes and entertainers as role models.

We are willing to uphold principles that have resulted in unprecedented prosperity and security throughout Europe and around the world. With the threat of climate change only becoming more urgent, Angela [Merkel] and I focused on the need for American and E.U. leadership to advance global cooperation.