You didn't elect me to tell you what you wanted to hear. You elected me to tell you the truth.

People don't expect government to solve all their problems. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better.

Anybody who gets into bed and turns out the lights the first night in the White House probably feels a little bit of a start, where you say, "Goodness ... "

[Michelle Obama] was the hardest sell. And she never fully embraced being in the public spotlight, which is ironic, given how good she is.

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

I try to make it a rule not to meddle in other people's politics.

In the end, that's what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope?