Barack Obama: “I can't imagine a better place to be than right here with the sons and daughters of Ireland--and those who wish they…”

The full weight of the federal government is being brought down on a law-abiding elected official because she has dared to criticize the president.

When we choose, when we make that decision, I do believe – and there is evidence for this – that the world gets incrementally better, and that is a worthy goal and it’s worth fighting for.

People need to “rediscover what’s the story we tell about how we’re going to live together, and see each other, and recognise each other, and disagree, and yet, still care for each other”.

And I will fight for that, even if I don’t always think it’s going to win.