I have almost the same number of days left as Barack Obama has in the White House. So we are going to stay focused on this job. I am enjoying it a lot. And we are going to see if we can achieve some very good things before the end of the year.

First of all, what we [in USA] need to understand is the middle class is what makes us different and exceptional. Every country has rich people, but what has made us different throughout history is that we have this broad-based vibrant middle class.

There is not a single person in the national defense apparatus of this country that can guarantee you are going to be 100 percent right. And that's why as president, I'll take this very seriously.

For most Americans, their primary aspiration is to achieve a better life... To earn a livable wage in a good job. To have the time to spend with family and do the things they enjoy. To be able to retire with security. And to give their own kids a chance to do as well or better than themselves.

The problem is that when government controls the economy, those who can influence government keep winning, and everybody else just stays the same.

Well, the most important thing a president will be is commander-in-chief. And that requires having an understanding of the complex issues on foreign policy. Foreign policy presents us often with hard choices, not black or white choices.

I've seen how the left has used it to accuse opponents of their version of reform of being bigots and racists.