Barack Obama: “I commend INEC for its extensive efforts to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.”

I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is.

Now the ball’s in your court, Iowa.

We’ve now fought a war, spent billions and billions of dollars, you know, put enormous strain on our military. A lot of people have died. And it feels like we’re back where we were before we started the war, except maybe a little bit worse…

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