The UK is an extraordinary partner for America and a force for good in an unstable world. I hope it remains strong, robust and united.

We may not be able to stop evil in the world, but how we treat one another is entirely up to us.

Occasionally I would like the German people to give us the benefit of the doubt, given our history, as opposed to assuming the worst -- assuming that we have been consistently your strong partners and that we share a common set of values.

As I've said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it. And all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women, and our hopes for Iraqis' future.

If I were German and I had a vote, I might support Angela Merkel.

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

I have no interest in increasing the size of government. I just want to make sure we have got a smart government that is regulating, for example, the financial institutions smartly, so I don't have to engage in any kind of bank bailouts.