We've been able to build up the Afghan security forces and stabilize it.

When I think about what I'm going through, as President, it doesn't compare to what the folks that I'm representing are going through. They're losing jobs. They're trying to figure out how to pay their medical bills. They've seen retirements suddenly dissipate because of what's happening in the stock market. And so as tough as the job might be, and the politics of Washington can sometimes be I'm always reminded of how fortunate I am to be here, and what an extraordinary responsibility I have to try to deliver on some of the promises that I made during the election.

There are very few moments in our lives where we have the privilege to witness history taking place. This is one of those moments. This is one of those times.

There is not a liberal America and a conservative America - there is the United States of America. There is not a black America and a white America and latino America and asian America - there's the United States of America.

There’s no doubt that there’s some folks who just really dislike me because they don’t like the idea of a black President.

This is the defining issue of our time. This is a make-or-break moment for the middle class and for all those who are fighting to get into the middle class.

There are problems that just end up being really hard and by definition the only problems that come to my desk are the ones that nobody else can solve.