Barack Obama actually said...

"I had been elected as the senator of Illinois, and Illinois is the most demographically representative state in the country."

"Jeff's leadership has been vital throughout the normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba."

"He is exactly the type of person we want to represent the United States in Cuba."

"If confirmed by the Senate, I know Jeff will build on the changes he helped bring about to better support the Cuban people and advance America's interests."