Barack Obama

It shows me somebody who’s not focused on the American people and the job they’re supposed to do.

I obviously have a room in his head.

While we are non-partisan, we are not value-neutral. We have a point of view.

We designed the center not to be some lifeless mausoleum.

I thought this was the South Side of Chicago.

I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious our democracy truly is.

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…

People aren't looking for perpetual anger and division. They are looking for fairness and common sense and mutual respect, that deep in our gut, we want to find a way to turn towards each other again, not further away.

I was a little tall for it.

A belief that our military and law enforcement owe allegiance not to any president or political party, but to the people and our constitution … a belief in the peaceful transfer of power

It was nevertheless important that we all play a part in assuring that our elected officials are accountable.

There’s no doubt that we are going through a period right now of disruption, polarization.

I am very happy to see a ceasefire. And I’m hopeful that it holds.

We’ve now fought a war, spent billions and billions of dollars, you know, put enormous strain on our military. A lot of people have died. And it feels like we’re back where we were before we started the war, except maybe a little bit worse…

And there’s no reason to suggest that we can’t get through this one either.

It fortifies you to say that, yes, this has been part of the journey that we’re on.

I think when you understand the complexities of America and the contradictions of America, I don’t think it makes you love it less. I think it makes you love it more.

This idea that any suggestion or criticism that America was anything other than perfect is unpatriotic... is a suggestion that you hate your country.

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

Every president here today, as different as we are, has tried our best to uphold the values that John McCain and Mitt Romney believed in no less than I did.

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.

The success of this experiment was never a given.

The American people want to find a way to turn towards each other again, not further away

There will be no kings

America is currently experiencing anger and vision but we are looking for fairness and common sense and mutual respect.