Barack Obama: “This debate – and this election – comes down to what we value.”

We designed the center not to be some lifeless mausoleum.

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.

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