We know that you are a great civilization, and your accomplishments have earned the respect of the United States and the world.

If they have confidence that I'm making steps to deal with issues like health care and energy and education, that matter deeply to their daily lives, then I think they're going to give us some time.

Let us remember the words that were written by the poet Saadi so many years ago: 'The children of Adam are limbs to each other, having been created of one essence.'

Those are shared hopes; those are common dreams.

Decisions about how Recovery Act dollars are spent will be based on the merits.

And the measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create.

I'm confident that with all these bright minds sitting around the table, that we're going to not only continue the progress that's been made in the Recovery Act, but we're going to be able to get a budget passed that reflects our--the…

So in this season of new beginnings, I would like to speak clearly to Iran's leaders. We have serious differences that have grown over time. My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us…

We must not allow Recovery Act funds to be distributed on the basis of factors other than the merits of proposed projects.

It's a future where the old divisions are overcome, where you and all of your neighbors and the wider world can live in greater security and greater peace.

Well, look, we are going through a difficult time. I welcome the challenge. I ran for president because I thought we needed big changes.

We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect.

I do think, though, that the American people are all in a place where they understand it took us a while to get into this mess. It's going to take a while for us to get out of it. And if they have confidence that I'm making steps to deal…

Today I want to extend my very best wishes to all who are celebrating Nowruz around the world.

I direct you to take the necessary steps to implement for eligible Liberians a deferral of enforced departure from the United States for 12 months from March 31, 2009.

They expect to see their hard-earned money spent efficiently.

Dealing with AIG and some of these other institutions is like dealing with somebody who's got a suicide bomb strapped to their chest.

We've got to have a certain amount of capital in the bank and they haven't started lending it yet.