Barack Obama: “After the initial NATO engagement in Afghanistan, we got sidetracked by Iraq.”

They're meant to remind us of who we can be, to remind us of what's possible, so we can forge ahead.

People aren't looking for perpetual anger and division. They are looking for fairness and common sense and mutual respect, that deep in our gut, we want to find a way to turn towards each other again, not further away.

Your task is not to impose litmus tests.

I think when you understand the complexities of America and the contradictions of America, I don’t think it makes you love it less. I think it makes you love it more.