Every decision, every debate, no matter how important it is, with the same question: 'What does this mean for the next election? What does it mean for your poll numbers? Is this good for the Democrats or good for the Republicans? Who won the news cycle?' That's just how Washington is. They can't help it. They're obsessed with the sport of politics.

[Our troops in Iraq and Afganistan] does give us the ability to make sure that we are strengthening those folk who are interested in building up their countries rather than destroying them, and doing so in a way that is sustainable and doesn't put a constant burden on the amazing men and women that we've got in uniform.

I get a thick book full of death, destruction, strife, and chaos. That's what I take with my morning tea.

A little reminder to those who don't back Obama and gay marriage. It's probably cause you're gay.

I don't have to negotiate an arms agreement with Great Britain or with France.

When your team loses, everybody gets deflated. And it's hard, and it's challenging.

We have to make sure America writes the rules of the global economy, and we should do it today while our economy is in the position of global strength, because if we don't write the rules for trade around the world, guess what: China will.