Beside the two wars he inherited in Iraq and Afghanistan, and promised to end, a financial crisis at home had pushed the United States to the brink of another Great Depression. When we spoke with the new president in March of 2009, the economy was losing 800,000 jobs a month, the government was throwing hundreds of billions of dollars at failing banks, and the auto industry was on the verge of collapse. Politically pummeled from all sides, Obama did his best to keep a sense of humor.
Barack ObamaI have complete confidence in Secret Service. These guys and gals are unbelievably professional. They know what theyโre doing and I basically do what they tell me to do. Now, sometimes Iโm the first one to admit that it chafes a little bit being inside this bubble. Itโs the hardest adjustment of being president, not being able to just take a walk.
Barack ObamaSometimes they're nothing, sometimes they're something, sometimes there's a connection that years later may show up. All of this information is useful.
Barack ObamaOur Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake.
Barack ObamaTonight, with a new Iraqi government in place, and following consultations with allies abroad and Congress at home, I can announce that America will lead a broad coalition to roll back this terrorist threat.
Barack Obama