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.
Barack Obama
Profile in The Independent Magazine, March
10, 2007. |
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.
Barack Obama
Speech at AIPAC, March 2, 2007. |
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.
Barack Obama
Speech at Illinois capital Springfield
February 2007, announcing he is entering 2008 US presidential
race. |
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.
Barack Obama
In webcast to supporters on his website,
January 2007. |
We're not going to baby sit a civil war.
Barack Obama
Voicing skepticism of President Bush's
plans for a US military buildup in Iraq, January 2007. |
Pot had helped, and booze; maybe a little blow when you could
afford it. Not smack [heroin] though.
Barack Obama
Admitting taking cannabis and cocaine as
a teenager, in 1995 memoir 'Dreams from My Father'. |
I cannot swallow whole the view of Lincoln as the Great Emancipator.
Barack Obama
From 'Time' magazine June 2005. |
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.
Barack Obama
Keynote speech to Democratic National Convention,
July 2004. |
There is not a liberal America and a conservative America
- there is the United States of America. There is not a black
America and a white America and latino America and asian America
- there's the United States of America.
Barack Obama
Keynote speech to Democratic National Convention,
July 2004. |
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.
Barack Obama
Keynote speech to Democratic National Convention,
July 2004. |
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.
Barack Obama
Keynote speech to Democratic National Convention,
July 2004. |
In the end, that's what this election is about. Do we participate
in a politics of cynicism or a politics of hope?
Barack Obama
Keynote speech to 2004 Democratic National
Convention, standing as candidate for US Senate in Illinois. |
We have real enemies in the world. These enemies must be found.
They must be pursued and they must be defeated.
Barack Obama
Keynote speech to Democratic National Convention,
July 2004. |
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.
Barack Obama
Keynote speech to Democratic National Convention,
July 2004. |
John Kerry believes in an America where hard work is rewarded.
Barack Obama
Keynote speech to Democratic National Convention,
July 2004. |
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..
Barack Obama |
Community colleges play an important role in helping people
transition between careers by providing the retooling they need
to take on a new career.
Barack Obama |
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.
Barack Obama |
I didn't see the weapons of mass destruction at the time,
I didn't think there was an imminent threat from Saddam Hussein.
Barack Obama |
I don't oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war.
What I am opposed to is a rash war.
Barack Obama
In 2002 speech against Iraq War. |
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.
Barack Obama |
I'm proud of the fact that I stood up early and unequivocally
in opposition to Bush's foreign policy (and was the only U.S.
Senate candidate in Illinois to do so). That opposition hasn't
changed.
Barack Obama |