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

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…

Executive departments and agencies shall develop transparent, merit-based selection criteria that will guide their available discretion...

Those are shared hopes; those are common dreams.

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

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

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.

But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together.

The United States wants the Islamic Republic of Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations.

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

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.

I don't see why they would throw the game, except for all those Secret Service guys with guns around them.

What's happening is a lot of these banks are keeping it in the bank because their balance sheets have gotten so bad that they decided, you know what, for us to stay solvent we need to maintain certain capital ratios, we have got to have a…

I don't need to remind you that the American people are watching what we do. They need this plan to work. They're skeptical and understandably because they have seen taxpayer dollars frittered away before.

I ran for President because I thought we needed big changes.

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 and to pursue constructive ties among the United States, Iran and the international…

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

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…