As President, I am determined to offer leadership to overcome our current economic problems. My goal is for jobs for all who want to work and economic opportunity for all who want to achieve.

I have always felt that the real purpose of government is to enhance the lives of people and that a leader can best do that by restraining government in most cases instead of enlarging it at every opportunity.

History and experience tell us that moral progress comes not in comfortable and complacent times, but out of trial and confusion.

Even though this is late in an election year, there is no way we can go forward except together and no way anybody can win except by serving the people's urgent needs. We cannot stand still or slip backwards. We must go forward now together.

If Lincoln were alive today, he'd be turning over in his grave.

The old question still remains: Can a free people restrain crime without sacrificing fundamental liberties and a heritage of compassion?

It's discouraging how hard it is for a President to slice away large chunks of a $305 billion budget.