Barack Obama actually said...

Well, look, as commander in chief, obviously I reserve the option to do what I think is going to be best for the American people at that poi...

Because I think it's the right thing to do, and that's my job.

My solemn commitment is to work every day, in every way that I can, to push this recovery forward.

Some of it was the result of an era of easy credit, when millions of Americans borrowed beyond their means.