Barack Obama: “This shouldn't be a Democratic issue or a Republican issue.”

It shows me somebody who’s not focused on the American people and the job they’re supposed to do.

And there’s no reason to suggest that we can’t get through this one either.

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.

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.