Barack Obama: “I'm optimistic that we can get it fixed.”

In forming our union, the founders fell terribly short of the Declaration's promise, leaving slavery intact, allowing states to restrict the franchise to white men who owned property.

At least one of our major parties has been captured by politics that is not that subtle about suggesting that ‘We the people’ means a certain kind of people.

Of course, we did not accomplish everything we set out to do. No administration does. Some of the exhibits reflect unfinished business, in some cases, my own shortcomings and mistakes, in some cases because - as a sign I kept on the…

That's what I hope every visitor to this center takes away from their experience.