Barack Obama: “The United States has and will continue to support those denied this freedom.”

In forming our union, the founders fell terribly short of the Declaration's promise, leaving slavery intact, allowing states to restrict the franchise to white men who owned property.

The essence of Prop. 50 is to say that if you are going to play that game, then we are going to try to counteract that abuse of the system.

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.

I am very happy to see a ceasefire. And I’m hopeful that it holds.