A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
208 Barack Obama Quotes and Sayings Score
Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy¸ everybody would do it. But it's not. It takes patience¸ it takes commitment¸ and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure¸ because you won't. it's whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction¸ or whether you learn from it¸ whether you choose to persevere 88
We have a stake in one another¸ what binds us together is greater than what drives us apart¸ and if enough people believe in the truth of that proposition and act on it¸ then we might not solve every problem¸ but we can get something meaningful done for the people with whom we share this Earth 86
Words do inspire 86
I will also go through the federal budget¸ line by line¸ eliminating programs that no longer work and making the ones we do need work better and cost less¸ because we cannot meet 21st century challenges with a 20th century bureaucracy 86
We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times¸ and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK. That's not leadership. That's not going to happen 85
Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek 83
We measure the strength of our economy not by the number of billionaires we have or the profits of the Fortune 500¸ but by whether someone with a good idea can take a risk and start a new business 83
We have to acknowledge the progress we made¸ but understand that we still have a long way to go. That things are better¸ but still not good enough 83
And for the sake of our economy¸ our security¸ and the future of our planet¸ I will set a clear goal as president: In 10 years¸ we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East 82
We need to internalize this idea of excellence. Not many folks spend a lot of time trying to be excellent 82
What Washington needs is adult supervision 82
Where the stakes are the highest¸ in the war on terror¸ we cannot possibly succeed without extraordinary international cooperation. Effective international police actions require the highest degree of intelligence sharing¸ planning and collaborative enforcement 81
We should be more modest in our belief that we can impose democracy on a country through military force. In the past¸ it has been movements for freedom from within tyrannical regimes that have led to flourishing democracies 81
We can rattle our sabers all we want but¸ realistically¸ we don't have troops for an invasion and surgical strikes aren't going to work 81
We need to steer clear of this poverty of ambition¸ where people want to drive fancy cars and wear nice clothes and live in nice apartments but don't want to work hard to accomplish these things. Everyone should try to realize their full potential 80
My wife has been my closest friend¸ my closest advisor. And she's not somebody who looks to the limelight¸ or even is wild about me being in politics. And that's a good reality check on me. When I go home¸ she wants me to be a good father and a good husband. And everything else is secondary to that 80
You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania¸ and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest¸ the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them. And they fell through the Clinton administration¸ and the Bush administration¸ and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not. And it's not surprising then they get bitter¸ they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations 79
We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics who will only grow louder and more dissonant in the weeks to come. We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope. But in the unlikely story that is America¸ there has never been anything false about hope. For when we have faced down impossible odds¸ when we've been told that we're not ready¸ or that we shouldn't try¸ or that we can't¸ generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people. Yes we can 78
I honor - we honor - the service of John McCain¸ and I respect his many accomplishments¸ even if he chooses to deny mine 78
I will build new partnerships to defeat the threats of the 21st century: terrorism and nuclear proliferation¸ poverty and genocide¸ climate change and disease 78
In Africa¸ you often see that the difference between a village where everybody eats and a village where people starve is government. One has a functioning government¸ and the other does not. Which is why it bothers me when I hear people say that government is the enemy. They don't understand its fundamental role 78
Yes¸ our greatness as a nation has depended on individual initiative¸ on a belief in the free market. But it has also depended on our sense of mutual regard for each other¸ of mutual responsibility. The idea that everybody has a stake in the country¸ that we're all in it together and everybody's got a shot at opportunity. Americans know this. We know that government can't solve all our problems - and we don't want it to. But we also know that there are some things we can't do on our own. We know that there are some things we do better together 78
In an interconnected world¸ the defeat of international terrorism - and most importantly¸ the prevention of these terrorist organizations from obtaining weapons of mass destruction - will require the cooperation of many nations. We must always reserve the right to strike unilaterally at terrorists wherever they may exist. But we should know that our success in doing so is enhanced by engaging our allies so that we receive the crucial diplomatic¸ military¸ intelligence¸ and financial support that can lighten our load and add legitimacy to our actions. This means talking to our friends and¸ at times¸ even our enemies 78
Tonight¸ I say to the American people¸ to Democrats and Republicans and independents across this great land - enough! This moment - this election - is our chance to keep¸ in the 21st century¸ the American promise alive 77
I always believe that ultimately¸ if people are paying attention¸ then we get good government and good leadership. And when we get lazy¸ as a democracy and civically start taking shortcuts¸ then it results in bad government and politics 77
Contrary to the rumors you have heard¸ I was not born in a manger. I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father Jor-El to save the Planet Earth. Many of you know that I got my name¸ Barack¸ from my father. What you may not know is Barack is actually Swahili for "That One". And I got my middle name from somebody who obviously didn't think I'd ever run for president. If I had to name my greatest strength¸ I guess it would be my humility. Greatest weakness¸ it's possible that I'm a little too awesome 76
As commander in chief¸ I will never hesitate to defend this nation¸ but I will only send our troops into harm's way with a clear mission and a sacred commitment to give them the equipment they need in battle and the care and benefits they deserve when they come home 76
For part of what has been lost these past eight years can't just be measured by lost wages or bigger trade deficits. What has also been lost is our sense of common purpose¸ our sense of higher purpose. And that's what we have to restore 76
America¸ this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page of the policies of the past 75
When we send our young men and women into harm's way¸ we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going¸ to care for their families while they're gone¸ to tend to the soldiers upon their return¸ and to never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war¸ secure the peace¸ and earn the respect of the world 75
We've come to be consumed by a 24-hour¸ slash-and-burn¸ negative ad¸ bickering¸ small-minded politics that doesn't move us forward 75
If I sit down with the leader of Iran¸ I will send him a strong message that Israel is our friend¸ that we will assist in their security and that we don't find nuclear weapons acceptable. That's not going to be a propaganda coup for the president of Iran 75
Individual responsibility and mutual responsibility - That's the essence of America's promise 75
That's why I stand here tonight. Because for 232 years¸ at each moment when that (American) promise was in jeopardy¸ ordinary men and women¸ students and soldiers¸ farmers and teachers¸ nurses and janitors - found the courage to keep it alive 75
Now let there be no doubt. The Republican nominee¸ John McCain¸ has worn the uniform of our country with bravery and distinction¸ and for that we owe him our gratitude and respect 75
If we aren't willing to pay a price for our values¸ then we should ask ourselves whether we truly believe in them at all 74
But challenging as they are it's not the magnitude of our problems that concerns me the most¸ it is the smallness of our politics 74
The fundamentals we use to measure economic strength are whether we are living up to that fundamental promise that has made this country great - a promise that is the only reason I am standing here tonight 74
My first job is to say thank you to those who voted me. Those who didn't¸ I'm going to get your vote next time 74
We can build a more hopeful America. And that is why¸ in the shadow of the Old State Capitol¸ where Lincoln once called on a house divided to stand together¸ where common hopes and common dreams still live¸ I stand before you today to announce my candidacy for President of the United States of America 74
The men and women who serve in our battlefields may be Democrats and Republicans and independents¸ but they have fought together and bled together and some died together under the same proud flag. They have not served a red America or a blue America - they have served the United States of America 74
The true test of the American ideal is whether we're able to recognize our failings and then rise together to meet the challenges of our time. Whether we allow ourselves to be shaped by events and history¸ or whether we act to shape them 74
When people are judged by merit¸ not connections¸ then the best and brightest can lead the country¸ people will work hard¸ and the entire economy will grow - everyone will benefit and more resources will be available for all¸ not just select groups 74
One of the things that we have to change in our politics is the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other's character and patriotism 74
You know¸ there's a lot of talk in this country about the federal deficit. But I think we should talk more about our empathy deficit - the ability to put ourselves in someone else's shoes¸ to see the world through the eyes of those who are different from us - the child who's hungry¸ the steelworker who's been laid-off¸ the family who lost the entire life they built together when the storm came to town. When you think like this - when you choose to broaden your ambit of concern and empathize with the plight of others¸ whether they are close friends or distant strangers - it becomes harder not to act¸ harder not to help 74
A good compromise¸ a good piece of legislation¸ is like a good sentence¸ or a good piece of music. Everybody can recognize it. They say¸ "Huh. It works. It makes sense 74
You can put lipstick on a pig. It's still a pig 73
We are the party of Roosevelt. We are the party of Kennedy. So don't tell me that Democrats won't defend this country. Don't tell me that Democrats won't keep us safe 73
I don't understand how you could have a situation where you've got several days notice of an enormous hurricane building in the Gulf Coast¸ you know that New Orleans is 6 feet below sea level. The notion that you don't have good plans in place just does not make sense 73
Most people who meet my wife quickly conclude that she is remarkable. They are right about this. She is smart¸ funny and thoroughly charming. Often¸ after hearing her speak at some function or working with her on a project¸ people will approach me and say something to the effect of¸ you know¸ I think the world of you¸ Barack¸ but your wife¸ wow! 73
My parents shared not only an improbable love¸ they shared an abiding faith in the possibilities of this nation. They would give me an African name¸ Barack¸ or blessed¸ believing that in a tolerant America your name is no barrier to success 73
The times are too serious¸ the stakes are too high for this same partisan playbook. So let us agree that patriotism has no party. I love this country¸ and so do you¸ and so does John McCain 73
If the people cannot trust their government to do the job for which it exists - to protect them and to promote their common welfare - all else is lost 73
My job is not to represent Washington to you¸ but to represent you to Washington 73
The reality of gun ownership may be different for hunters in rural Ohio than for those plagued by gang violence in Cleveland¸ but don't tell me we can't uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals 73
Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential 73
Running for the presidency is a profound decision. Decision no one should make on the basis of media hype or personal ambition alone. And so before I committed myself and my family to this race¸ I wanted be sure that it was right for us and more importantly right for the country 72
And now is the time to keep the promise of equal pay for an equal day's work¸ because I want my daughters to have exactly the same opportunities as your sons 72
When we think of the major threats to our national security¸ the first to come to mind are nuclear proliferation¸ rogue states and global terrorism. But another kind of threat lurks beyond our shores¸ one from nature¸ not humans - an avian flu pandemic 72
In the end¸ no amount of American forces can solve the political differences that lie at the heart of somebody else's civil war 72
Now is the time to end this addiction¸ and to understand that drilling is a stop-gap measure¸ not a long-term solution. Not even close 72
I will also renew the tough¸ direct diplomacy that can prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and curb Russian aggression 72
It's not just enough to change the players. We've gotta change the game 71
Our government should work for us¸ not against us. It should help us¸ not hurt us. It should ensure opportunity not just for those with the most money and influence¸ but for every American who's willing to work 71
You notice that people who've been in Washington too long¸ they don't talk like ordinary folks. We had this debate in Las Vegas¸ and somebody asked me¸ "What are your weaknesses"? So I said¸ "Well¸ you know¸ I don't keep track of paper that well¸ I'm always losing paper¸ my desk is a mess" And then they asked the next two candidates. And one candidate says¸ "Well¸ my biggest weakness is I'm just so passionate about helping poor people". And then the other one says¸ "I'm just so impatient to help the American people solve their problems". So then I realize well¸ I wish I'd gone last and then I would have known. I'm stupid that way¸ I thought that when they asked what your biggest weakness was¸ they asked what your biggest weakness was. And now I know that my biggest weakness is I like to help old ladies across the street 71
We need somebody who's got the heart¸ the empathy¸ to recognize what it's like to be a young teenage mom¸ the empathy to understand what it's like to be poor or African-American or gay or disabled or old - and that's the criterion by which I'll be selecting my judges 71
It's a promise that says each of us has the freedom to make of our own lives what we will¸ but that we also have the obligation to treat each other with dignity and respect 71
But the anger is real¸ it is powerful¸ and to simply wish it away¸ to condemn it without understanding its roots¸ only serves to widen the chasm of misunderstanding that exists between the races 71
Race is still a powerful force in this country. Any African American candidate¸ or any Latino candidate¸ or Asian candidate or woman candidate confronts a higher threshold in establishing himself to the voters 71
Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope! In the end¸ that is God's greatest gift to us¸ the bedrock of this nation. A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead 71
America is a land of big dreamers and big hopes. It is this hope that has sustained us through revolution and civil war¸ depression and world war¸ a struggle for civil and social rights and the brink of nuclear crisis. And it is because our dreamers dreamed that we have emerged from each challenge more united¸ more prosperous¸ and more admired than before 71
Faith is not just something you have¸ it's something you do 71
Our goal is to have a country that's not divided by race 70
I've known Reverend Wright for almost twenty years. The person I saw yesterday was not the person that I met twenty years ago. His comments were not only divisive and destructive¸ but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate and I believe that they do not portray accurately the perspective of the black church. They certainly don't portray accurately my values and beliefs and if Reverend Wright thinks that's political posturing¸ as he put it¸ then he doesn't know me very well and based on his remarks yesterday¸ well I may not know him as well as I thought either 70
This is the moment when we must come together to save this planet. Let us resolve that we will not leave our children a world where the oceans rise and famine spreads and terrible storms devastate our lands 70
We've gotta restore the American people's confidence in the ethics process by ensuring that political self-interest can no longer prevent politicians from enforcing ethics rules 70
Nobody's suffering more than the Palestinian people from this whole process. And I would like to see if we could get some movement from Palestinian leadership - what I'd like to see is a loosening up of some of the restrictions on providing aid directly to the Palestinian people 70
Today we are engaged in a deadly global struggle for those who would intimidate¸ torture¸ and murder people for exercising the most basic freedoms. If we are to win this struggle and spread those freedoms¸ we must keep our own moral compass pointed in a true direction 70
Couldn't find anyone out of the 12 million people in Illinois to run against me 69
We have real enemies in the world. These enemies must be found. They must be pursued and they must be defeated 69
Most people who serve in Washington have been trained either as lawyers or as political operatives - professions that tend to place a premium on winning arguments rather than solving problems 69
My friends¸ we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it 69
Now¸ because he knows that his economic theories don't work¸ he's been spending these last few days calling me every name in the book. Lately he's called me a socialist for wanting to roll-back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans so we can finally give tax relief to the middle class. I don't know what's next. By the end of the week he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten. I shared my peanut butter and jelly sandwich 69
Our enemies are fully aware that they can use oil as a weapon against America. And if we don't take this threat as seriously as the bombs they build or the guns they buy¸ we will be fighting the War on Terror with one hand tied behind our back 69
That is the true genius of America¸ a faith in the simple dreams of its people¸ the insistence on small miracles. That we can say what we think¸ write what we think¸ without hearing a sudden knock on the door 69
As Americans¸ we can take enormous pride in the fact that courage has been inspired by our own struggle for freedom¸ by the tradition of democratic law secured by our forefathers and enshrined in our Constitution. It is a tradition that says all men are created equal under the law and that no one is above it 69
My faith reminds me that we all are sinners 69
Issues are never simple. One thing I'm proud of is that very rarely will you hear me simplify the issues 69
Iraq is sort of a situation where you've got a guy who drove the bus into the ditch. You obviously have to get the bus out of the ditch¸ and that's not easy to do¸ although you probably should fire the driver 68
The country is not as polarized as our politics would suggest 68
This budget tells our veterans that if they want increased funding for the VA they'll have to pay for it themselves 68
Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the war on terrorism have reduced the pace of military transformation and have revealed our lack of preparation for defensive and stability operations. This Administration has overextended our military 68
We have an obligation and a responsibility to be investing in our students and our schools. We must make sure that people who have the grades¸ the desire and the will¸ but not the money¸ can still get the best education possible 68
Poorly secured nuclear material in the former Soviet Union¸ or secrets from a scientist in Pakistan could help build a bomb that detonates in Paris. The poppies in Afghanistan become the heroin in Berlin. The poverty and violence in Somalia breeds the terror of tomorrow 68
Money is not the only answer¸ but it makes a difference 68
You know¸ my faith is one that admits some doubt 68
Tonight¸ we gather to affirm the greatness of our nation - not because of the height of our skyscrapers¸ or the power of our military¸ or the size of our economy. Our pride is based on a very simple premise¸ summed up in a declaration made over two hundred years ago 68
America¸ our work will not be easy. The challenges we face require tough choices¸ and Democrats as well as Republicans will need to cast off the worn-out ideas and politics of the past 68
As Mr. Keyes begins to travel the state¸ he will see that families here are concerned about quality jobs¸ making health care more affordable and ensuring our children get the best education possible 68
But they sense that with just a change in priorities¸ we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life. They know we can do better. And they want that choice 68
It's not because John McCain doesn't care. It's because John McCain doesn't get it 67
I've been called worse on the basketball court 67
The Bush Administration's failure to be consistently involved in helping Israel achieve peace with the Palestinians has been both wrong for our friendship with Israel¸ as well as badly damaging to our standing in the Arab world 67
No one is pro-abortion 67
There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people¸ all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes¸ all of us defending the United States of America 67
We may not agree on abortion¸ but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country 67
I will eliminate capital-gains taxes for the small businesses and the startups that will create the high-wage¸ high-tech jobs of tomorrow 67
The fact that my 15 minutes of fame has extended a little longer than 15 minutes is somewhat surprising to me and completely baffling to my wife 67
We can't change the way Washington works unless we first change how Congress works 67
If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking¸ eventually you'll make progress 67
America¸ we are better than these last eight years. We are a better country than this 66
I'm not denouncing the church¸ and I'm not interested in people who want me to denounce the church. It's not a church worthy of denouncing 66
The hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him¸ too 66
It took a lot of blood¸ sweat and tears to get to where we are today¸ but we have just begun. Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is just a little bit better than the one we inhabit today 66
In the end¸ that's what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope?  66
People of Berlin - people of the world - this is our moment. This is our time 65
These challenges are not all of government's making. But the failure to respond is a direct result of a broken politics in Washington and the failed policies of George W. Bush 65
I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction 65
This union may never be perfect¸ but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected 65
Faith doesn't mean that you don't have doubts 65
I don't have a litmus test¸ but I do expect that there's a core of constitutional values that are going to be upheld in these next series of appointments¸ and I suspect that I will have something to say about who's going to shape the legal landscape for the next 40¸ 50 years 65
We're not going to baby sit a civil war 64
I don't oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war 64
It is that (American) promise that has always set this country apart - that through hard work and sacrifice¸ each of us can pursue our individual dreams but still come together as one American family¸ to ensure that the next generation can pursue their dreams as well 64
There is not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America - there is the United States of America 64
We've got a tragic history when it comes to race in this country. We've got a lot of pent-up anger and bitterness and misunderstanding. This country wants to move beyond these kinds of things 64
Just as Lieutenant Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the men who served with him in Vietnam¸ President Kerry will not hesitate one moment to use our military might to keep America safe and secure 64
You've got 300¸000¸ 400¸000 people¸ many of them low income without a lot of means¸ who are not going to have the ability to wait out a year or two or three years for the region to rebuild 64
It's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential 64
There's not a liberal America and a conservative America - there's the United States of America 63
That's what he talked about yesterday¸ "I want to drill here. I want to drill now". I don't know where he was standing. I think he was in a building somewhere 63
Unlike John McCain¸ I will stop giving tax breaks to corporations that ship jobs overseas¸ and I will start giving them to companies that create good jobs right here in America 63
This is the moment when we must build on the wealth that open markets have created¸ and share its benefits more equitably. Trade has been a cornerstone of our growth and global development. But we will not be able to sustain this growth if it favors the few¸ and not the many 63
With the changing economy¸ no one has lifetime employment. But community colleges provide lifetime employability 63
None of us wants to see any fraud or waste in government spending. But nowhere should we be more willing to give people the benefit of the doubt than with the brave men and women who served our country 63
I'm so overexposed¸ I'm making Paris Hilton look like a recluse 62
I stand here knowing that my story is part of the larger American story¸ that I owe a debt to all of those who came before me¸ and that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible 62
Now is the time to finally keep the promise of affordable¸ accessible health care for every single American. If you have health care¸ my plan will lower your premiums. If you don't¸ you'll be able to get the same kind of coverage that members of Congress give themselves 62
Whenever I write a letter to a family who has lost a loved one in Iraq¸ or read an email from a constituent who has dropped out of college because her student aid has been cut¸ I'm reminded that the actions of those in power have enormous consequences - a price that they themselves almost never have to pay 62
I found solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother's race 62
That's silly talk. Talk to my wife. She'll tell me I need to learn to just put my socks on the hamper 62
When students participate in debate¸ they learn to study issues in depth and from perspectives¸ a skill I use everyday in the Senate 62
Instead of having a set of policies that are equipping people for the globalization of the economy¸ we have policies that are accelerating the most destructive trends of the global economy 61
The decisions that have been made in Washington these past six years¸ and the problems that have been ignored¸ have put our country in a precarious place 61
I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of twelve or thirteen¸ when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites 61
Yesterday¸ John McCain actually said that if he's president that he'll take on¸ and I quote¸ "the old boys network in Washington". Now I'm not making this up. This is somebody who's been in Congress for twenty-six years¸ who put seven of the most powerful Washington lobbyists in charge of his campaign. And now he tells us that he's the one who's gonna "to take on the old boys network". The old boys network? In the McCain campaign that's called a staff meeting. Come¸ on! 60
Tonight¸ more Americans are out of work and more are working harder for less. More of you have lost your homes and even more are watching your home values plummet. More of you have cars you can't afford to drive¸ credit card bills you can't afford to pay¸ and tuition that's beyond your reach 59
Americans still believe in an America where anything's possible - they just don't think their leaders do 58
On this Memorial Day¸ as our nation honors its unbroken line of fallen heroes - and I see many of them in the audience here today - our sense of patriotism is particularly strong 58
People are very hungry for something new. I think they are interested in being called to be a part of something larger than the sort of small¸ petty¸ slash-and-burn politics that we have been seeing over the last several years 58
Politics has become so bitter and partisan¸ so gummed up by money and influence¸ that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions. And that's what we have to change first. We have to change our politics¸ and come together around our common interests and concerns as Americans 58
It gave you a sense that strong¸ capable black men were out there and you didn't have to assume that your fate was automatically working in some menial job or getting involved in crime 58
Don't expect government to solve all their problems 58
I would have to investigate more of Bill's dancing abilities¸ you know¸ and some of this other stuff before I accurately judge whether he was in fact a brother 57
Hillary is not the first politician in Washington to declare "Mission Accomplished" a little too soon 57
The Israeli people¸ and Prime Minister Olmert¸ have made clear that they are more than willing to negotiate an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will result in two states living side by side in peace and security. But the Israelis must trust that they have a true Palestinian partner for peace. That is why we must strengthen the hands of Palestinian moderates who seek peace and that is why we must maintain the isolation of Hamas and other extremists who are committed to Israel's destruction 57
McCain bragged about how as chairman of the Commerce Committee in the Senate¸ he had oversight of every part of the economy. Well¸ all I can say to McCain is¸ "Nice job. Nice job". Where is he getting these lines? The lobbyists running his campaign? I'm not making this up¸ you can't make this up. It's like a "Saturday Night Live" routine 56
It's a promise that says the market should reward drive and innovation and generate growth¸ but that businesses should live up to their responsibilities to create American jobs¸ look out for American workers¸ and play by the rules of the road 56
I've got two daughters. 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake¸ I don't want them punished with a baby 55
John McCain once opposed these tax cuts - he rightly called them unfair and fiscally irresponsible. But now he has done an about face and wants to make them permanent¸ just like he wants a permanent occupation in Iraq. No matter what the costs¸ no matter what the consequences¸ John McCain seems determined to carry out a third Bush-term. That's an outcome America can't afford. Because of the Bush-McCain policies¸ our debt has ballooned 55
I don't want to be invited to the family hunting party. We're not kissing cousins 54
In case you missed it¸ this week¸ there was a tragedy in Kansas. Ten thousand people died - an entire town destroyed 53
I know my country has not perfected itself. At times¸ we've struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We've made our share of mistakes¸ and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions 53
I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother - a woman who helped raise me¸ a woman who sacrificed again and again for me¸ a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world¸ but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street¸ and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe 53
I cannot swallow whole the view of Lincoln as the Great Emancipator 52
McCain likes to talk about judgment¸ but really¸ what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than 90 percent of the time? I don't know about you¸ but I'm not ready to take a 10 percent chance on change 52
I almost expected the guy to complete his speech by saying "And I accept your nomination" 52
I'm proud of the fact that I stood up early and unequivocally in opposition to Bush's foreign policy. That opposition hasn't changed 52
I have seen¸ the desperation and disorder of the powerless: how it twists the lives of children on the streets of Jakarta or Nairobi in much the same way as it does the lives of children on Chicago's South Side 52
I opposed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. It should be repealed and I will vote for its repeal on the Senate floor. I will also oppose any proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gays and lesbians from marrying 51
Three months is a lifetime in politics 51
To the extent that we've got a fiscal crisis right now¸ part of it is prompted by a bullheaded insistence on the part of the president¸ for example¸ that we should extend all of his tax cuts¸ make all of them permanent 50
It is true¸ I worry about the hype. The only person more over-hyped than me is you 50
Just this past week¸ we passed out of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee - which is my committee - a bill to call for divestment from Iran as way of ratcheting up the pressure to ensure that they don't obtain a nuclear weapon 50
I have nothing to hide¸ I enjoy being myself. I'm not going to change who I am just because it's Halloween 50
Look¸ when I was a kid¸ I inhaled frequently. That was the point 49
John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded 49
We worship an awesome God in the Blue States¸ and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the Red States. We coach Little League in the Blue States and have gay friends in the Red States 49
Now that's my phone buzzing there. I don't want you to think I'm getting fresh or anything 48
I believe in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ 48
When I was growing up¸ basically the only black men on television were criminals or Flip Wilson dressed in drag as a character called Geraldine. But you rarely had black professionals portrayed in the culture 48
The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn't. But she is a typical white person who¸ if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn't know¸ there's a reaction that's been bred into our experiences that don't go away¸ and that sometimes comes out in the wrong way¸ and that's just the nature of race in our society 48
Why can't I just eat my waffle? 47
They say I need to be seasoned¸ they say I need to be stewed. They say¸ "We need to boil all the hope out of him - like us - and then he'll be ready" 47
Over the last 15 months¸ we've traveled to every corner of the United States. I've now been in 57 states. I think one left to go 47
I learned to slip back and forth between my black and white worlds. One of those tricks I had learned: People were satisfied so long as you were courteous and smiled and made no sudden moves. They were more than satisfied¸ they were relieved - such a pleasant surprise to find a well-mannered young black man who didn't seem angry all the time 47
I didn't see the weapons of mass destruction at the time¸ I didn't think there was an imminent threat from Saddam Hussein 47
Let me be absolutely clear. Israel is a strong friend of Israel's. It will be a strong friend of Israel's under a McCain administration. It will be a strong friend of Israel's under an Obama administration. So that policy is not going to change 47
Community colleges play an important role in helping people transition between careers by providing the retooling they need to take on a new career 47
Let's face it¸ my presence on this stage is pretty unlikely 47
For over two decades¸ he's subscribed to that old¸ discredited Republican philosophy: Give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else 45
I mean¸ you know¸ as somebody who used to be on the cover of Time and Newsweek¸ you know. Those were the days 45
Come on! I just answered¸ like¸ eight questions 44
Hold on one second¸ sweetie¸ we're going to do - we'll do a press avail 44
You're likeable enough¸ Hillary 44
Well¸ if you've got book sales of $25 million¸ then you qualify 43
I teach constitutional law¸ I'm getting to the age now that I actually know some of the people that they are appointing to these courts 42
To avoid being mistaken for a sellout¸ I chose my friends carefully. The more politically active black students. The foreign students. The Chicanos. The Marxist professors and structural feminists 41
Call to Islamic prayer is one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset 39
I do love the Waldorf-Astoria¸ though. You know¸ I hear that from the doorstep you can see all the way to the Russian tea room 39
How's it going¸ Sunshine? 37
But I have to say tonight's venue isn't really what I'm used to. I was originally told we'd be able to move this outdoors to Yankee Stadium¸ and can somebody tell me what happened to the Greek columns that I requested? 35
It's been sort of a whirlwind 35
Let me introduce to you the next President - the next Vice President of the United States of America¸ Joe Biden 32
I had learned not to care. I blew a few smoke rings¸ remembering those years. Pot had helped¸ and booze¸ maybe a little blow when you could afford it. Not smack¸ though 31
Mr Ayers is not involved in my campaign. He has never been involved in this campaign. And he will not advise me in the White House 28
I hope you invite me (back) before then 26
That's just how white folks will do you 24