And to all those who have wondered if Americas beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope. For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

I was elected because I believed in what we call "grassroots politics," politics from the bottom up, not the top down.

There's nothing that America can't handle if we actually look squarely at the problem. ...Change depends on our actions.

It is time to do away with work place policies that belong in a Mad Men episode.

Over the last 15 months, we've traveled to every corner of the United States. I've now been in 57 states? I think one left to go.

I have a deep appreciation for the wisdom of this guy , George Washington.

Obviously [my daughters] - and Michelle - have made a lot of sacrifices on behalf of my cockamamie ideas, the running for office and things.