Campaign Statements — Barack Obama

Friday April 13, 2012

“The Republicans have consistently demogogued the issues and have blocked action.”

“The only reason we do not have a law right now that has provided a citizenship not just for DREAM Act kids but for folks who are here, are law-abiding citizens, is because the Republicans have consistently demogogued the issue and have blocked action in Congress. This notion that somehow Republicans want to have it both ways, they want to vote against these laws and appeal to anti-immigrant sentiment when we have a nominee who said that Arizona laws—which allow those same kids with Latino surnames to potentially be picked up [and] asked for their papers—and then they come and say, ‘But we really care about these kids and we want to do something about it.’ That looks like hypocrisy to me.”

CATEGORIES: Barack Obama | Immigration |

Friday March 30, 2012

“For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq.”

“Change is the fact that for the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq. We refocused our efforts on the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11. And thanks to the brave men and women in uniform, al Qaeda is weaker than it has ever been. Osama bin Laden is no more. We’ve begun to transition in Afghanistan to put them in the lead, and start bringing our troops home from Afghanistan. That’s what change is.”

CATEGORIES: Afghanistan | Barack Obama | Iraq |

Wednesday March 14, 2012

“We believe in the universal rights of all people.”

“We believe in the universal rights of all people, so we stand united in our support for those who seek to choose their leaders and forge their future, including the brave citizens of the Middle East and North Africa, who deserve the same God-given rights and freedoms as people everywhere.”

CATEGORIES: The Arab Spring | Barack Obama |

Tuesday March 13, 2012

“It is necessary to…maintain in force comprehensive sanctions against Iran.”

“The crisis between the United States and Iran resulting from the actions and policies of the Government of Iran has not been resolved. The actions and policies of the Government of Iran are contrary to the interests of the United States in the region and continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared with respect to Iran and maintain in force comprehensive sanctions against Iran to respond to this threat.”

CATEGORIES: Barack Obama | Iran |

Monday March 05, 2012

“The Prime Minister remains committed to trying to achieve [a peaceful resolution.]”

“[Prime Minister Netanyahu and I] will discuss the issues that continue to be a focus of not only our foreign policy, but also the Prime Minister’s—how we can, potentially, bring about a calmer set of discussions between the Israelis and the Palestinians and arrive at a peaceful resolution to that longstanding conflict. It is a very difficult thing to do in light of the context right now, but I know that the Prime Minister remains committed to trying to achieve that.”

CATEGORIES: Barack Obama | Israel/Palestine |

Monday March 05, 2012

“We have worked so diligently to set up the most crippling sanctions ever with respect to Iran.”

“We do not want to see a nuclear arms race in one of the most volatile regions in the world. We do not want the possibility of a nuclear weapon falling into the hands of terrorists. And we do not want a regime that has been a state sponsor of terrorism being able to feel that it can act even more aggressively or with impunity as a consequence of its nuclear power.

That’s why we have worked so diligently to set up the most crippling sanctions ever with respect to Iran. We do believe that there is still a window that allows for a diplomatic resolution to this issue, but ultimately the Iranians’ regime has to make a decision to move in that direction, a decision that they have not made thus far.”

CATEGORIES: Barack Obama | Iran |

Monday March 05, 2012

“This bond is based on mutual security interests and common values.”

“My personal commitment—a commitment that is consistent with the history of other occupants of this Oval Office—our commitment to the security of Israel is rock solid. And as I’ve said to the Prime Minister in every single one of our meetings, the United States will always have Israel’s back when it comes to Israel’s security. This is a bond that is based not only on our mutual security interests and economic interests, but is also based on common values and the incredible people-to-people contacts that we have between our two countries.”

CATEGORIES: Barack Obama | Israel/Palestine |

Monday March 05, 2012

“We have worked…to set up the most crippling sanctions ever.”

“Let me reiterate. Number one: ... As I emphasized yesterday, it is profoundly in the interests [of the United States and Israel to stop Iran]. We do not want to see a nuclear arms race in one of the most volatile regions in the world. We do not want a nuclear weapon falling into the hands of terrorists. That’s why we have worked so diligently to set up the most crippling sanctions ever.”

CATEGORIES: Barack Obama | Iran |

Sunday March 04, 2012

“Now is not the time for bluster; now is the time to let our increased pressure sink in.”

“Already, there is too much loose talk of war. Over the last few weeks, such talk has only benefited the Iranian government, by driving up the price of oil, which they depend upon to fund their nuclear program. For the sake of Israel’s security, America’s security, and the peace and security of the world, now is not the time for bluster; now is the time to let our increased pressure sink in, and to sustain the broad international coalition that we have built. Now is the time to heed that timeless advice from Teddy Roosevelt: speak softly, but carry a big stick.”

CATEGORIES: Barack Obama | Iran | Israel/Palestine |