Barack Obama

What I'm absolutely certain about is that our office had no involvement in any deal-making around my Senate seat.

We know that lobbyists have disproportionate influence.

The time has come this year in this new administration to modernize our health care system for the 21st century.

Part of the reason that I got into politics is because we have to reclaim a tradition of public service that is about people and their lives.

The time has come -- this year, in this new Administration -- to modernize our health care system for the twenty-first century; to reduce costs for families and businesses; and to finally provide affordable, accessible health care for…

The next senator from Illinois is focused on health care, jobs, and all the struggles that the families of this state are going through.

Jobless claims are now the highest they've been in 26 years.

I believe our government should provide short-term assistance to the auto industry to avoid a collapse.

If we want to overcome our economic challenges, we must also finally address your health care challenge.

This Senate seat does not belong to any politician to trade. It belongs to the people of Illinois.

Under the current circumstances, it is difficult for the governor to effectively do his job and serve the people of Illinois.

I think the tradition is they use all three names, and I will follow the tradition.

That has been a hallmark of my career, transparency and accountability and getting the American people involved and that's how we're going to bring about change.

As this is an ongoing investigation involving the Governor, I don't think it will be appropriate for me to comment.

We were not -- I was not aware of what was happening.

I may be skinny, but I'm tough. And I'm from Chicago, and -- and we know how to play politics.

I had no contact with the governor or his office, and so we were not -- I was not aware of what was happening. And, as I said, it is a sad day for Illinois.

It's a sad day for Illinois.

I had no contact with the Governor or his office and so we were not -- I was not aware of what was happening.

Fortunately, as tough as times right now -- and things are going to get worse before they get better -- there is a convergence between circumstances and agenda.

We are not simply going to write a bunch of checks and let them be spent, without some very clear criteria as to how this money is going to benefit the overall economy and put people back to work.

Fortunately, as tough as times are right now and things are going to get worse before they get better, there is a convergence between circumstances and agenda. The key for us is making sure that we jump-start that economy in a way that…

We are not going to simply write a bunch of checks and let them be spent without some very clear criteria as to how this money is going to benefit the overall economy and put people back to work.

I think we can get a lot of work done fast.

We will launch a massive effort to make public buildings more energy efficient. We'll repair broken schools, make them energy efficient and put new computers in our classrooms. We'll invest your precious tax dollars in new and smarter ways.