Barack Obama: “This financial crisis is a direct result of the greed and irresponsibility that has dominated Washington and Wall Street…”

People need to “rediscover what’s the story we tell about how we’re going to live together, and see each other, and recognise each other, and disagree, and yet, still care for each other”.

I’m going to insist that we can do better than we’re doing right now.

The fact that any president, or any administration, is willing to engage in such transparent efforts to intimidate someone should outrage all Americans, regardless of how they feel about Congresswoman Omar’s political views.

I think when we act on that basis, it doesn't always work out, but over time things do get better.