Barack Obama: “There's no reason why we should sit here and watch the best highways and the newest airports being built in China.”

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.

it was nevertheless important that we all play a part in assuring that our elected officials are accountable.

This idea that any suggestion or criticism that America was anything other than perfect is unpatriotic... is a suggestion that you hate your country.

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.