Barack Obama actually said...

We cannot discount or take for granted the importance of the transatlantic alliance.

I think that I was trying to make a very specific point, which is that you can't rely on inspiration to take care of your business.

I remain optimistic about not just America's futures, but the direction that the world is going in.

Our alliance with our NATO partners has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy for nearly 70 years.