Barack Obama actually said...

"Decisions about awards of Federal financial assistance must be free from political interference or even the appearance of such interference and must be made on the basis of merit."

"President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key administration post."

"I think the test is going to be what's the discussion like in that meeting and what happens throughout the rest of the lame duck."

"He received an update on our progress in disrupting, dismantling, and defeating al Qaeda in the region."