This is a time to rise above politics for the good of the country.

We cannot risk an economic catastrophe.

It must be a public-private partnership that draws on the resources, and ideas, and resilience of business and non-profits and faith groups.

Action must be taken to restore confidence in our economy.

We live in a time when our destinies are shared.

The scale of our challenges may be great.

Although Americans with deposits at Washington Mutual should rest assured that they are safe under this arrangement, the failures of our financial institutions threaten economic instability, jobs, and the incomes of American families.

It's outrageous that we find ourselves in a position where taxpayers must bear the burden for the greed and irresponsibility of Wall Street and Washington.

This is not a Democratic problem or a Republican problem - this is an American problem.

The government-brokered sale of Washington Mutual is the latest sign of the perilous situation facing our financial system and our economy.

The time to debate whether climate change is manmade has past - it's time, finally, for America to lead.