“Everywhere I go, I hear the same story: ‘We work hard, we pay our bills, we put away savings, but we just don’t know if it’s going to be enough when that tuition bill comes.’” – Obama at Southern Illinois University.
“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.” – Obama commenting on the Iraq War.
“There’s not a liberal America and a conservative America; there’s the United States of America.” – Obama speaking for national unity.
“One of the great things about being married to Michelle and having two little girls in the house is they keep you grounded.” – Obama describing his family relationship.
“I can make government and public service cool again.” – Obama commenting on government.
“The American people might not agree with everything I say, but I don’t think they’ll say, ‘The guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about.’” – Obama talking about foreign policy.
“Racism is a function of our society. There are some people who aren’t going to vote for me because I’ve got big ears. Part of my optimism about Americans is that I don’t think they expect me to be derecialized in order to represent them.” – Obama on racism in voting.
“People want judgment and they hope that experience is often a good proxy … Experience can actually be an impediment to good judgment.” – Obama emphasizing judgment over experience.
“Yes We Can.” – Obama’s slogan.
“I’m very humbled by the fact that I stand on the shoulders of all the people that made all these incredible contributions to lift this country up.” – Obama about his victory.
“Hope. Change. Hope Change.” – Obama’s oft-repeated campaign theme
“I recognize there is a certain presumptuousness – a certain audacity – to this announcement. I know that I haven’t spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington. But I’ve been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change.” – Obama announcing his candidacy for president.
“I knew that the size of our challenges had outgrown the smallness of our politics.” – Obama during a campaign stop in Canton, Ohio.
“I think that obviously we are going through a very difficult time economically, so the first thing I need to counsel everybody is patience. We took a long time to get into the hole that we’re in. It’s going to take us a while to get out of that hole.” – Obama on the economy.
“I’m going to need people to be patient. I’m going to need people … to recognize that government can’t do it all.” – Obama about getting out of the fiscal crisis.
“Change doesn’t start in Washington. It comes to Washington from the American people demanding something different.” – Obama expounding on his campaign theme.
“I think obviously for an African-American to win the presidency given the history of this country – and relatively recent history of this country – is a remarkable thing.” – Obama about winning the presidency.
“Michelle will acknowledge that I’m the easygoing side of the Obama family. I tend not to get too high when things are good and not too low when things are bad.” – Obama on being cool.
“It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.” – Obama on election night at Grant Park.
“I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.” – Obama speaking to Joe, the plumber.
“Each and every time, a new generation has risen up and done what’s needed to be done. Today we are called once more – and it is time for our generation to answer that call.” – Obama on the reason for his campaign.
“All across America something is stirring … This election has never been about me; it’s about you.” – Obama on the meaning of his campaign.
“Words on a parchment would not be enough to deliver slaves from bondage, or provide men and women of every color and creed their full rights and obligations as citizens of the United States.” – Obama on a more perfect union in Philadelphia.
