There is no bigger judgment for a president of the United States than how you take a nation to war.

I believe America's best days are ahead of us because I believe that the future belongs to freedom, not to fear.

We must retool our nation to prepare for the challenge we already face to maintain our position in the global economy. And this much is certain: America will not have national security without economic security.

I am a veteran, I fought in a war. I've been a prosecutor. I've sent people to jail for the rest of their life.

We need to talk to all the players in the Middle East, not because we agree with them, but because they play a role.

Iraq may not be the war on terror itself, but it is critical to the outcome of the war on terror, and therefore any advance in Iraq is an advance forward in that.

We need to put our faith and trust in the people on the frontlines -- and back it up with real resources. We need to make sure first defenders have the gear and support they need, and the benefits and protections they've earned. With new technology and ingenuity, by doing more to sustain our first defenders and calling on Americans to do more for their country, we can make our country stronger, safer, and more secure.