Barack Obama actually said...

"I invite all citizens of our Nation, as their own faith or conscience directs them, to join me in giving thanks for the many blessings we enjoy."

"He wants to witness for himself the terrible devastation caused by these storms."

"We just took a tour, and I've got to say, I've never seen devastation like this."

"The United States strongly condemns the Syrian government's continued use of violence and intimidation against the Syrian people."