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Barack Obama Quotes

44th U.S. President

Barack Obama, born on August 4, 1961, served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama's presidency was marked by significant achievements, including the Affordable Care Act and the normalization of relations with Cuba. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009.

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Famous Barack Obama Quotes

“War might be hell and still the right thing to do. Economies could collapse despite the best-laid plans. People could work hard all their lives and still lose everything.”

People War Politics Economy

Book:The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream

Source: The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream

“In other words, FDR understood that to be effective, governance couldn't be so antiseptic that it set aside the basic stuff of politics: You had to sell your program, reward supporters, punch back against opponents, and amplify the facts that helped your cause while fudging the details that didn't. I found myself wondering whether we'd somehow turned a virtue into a vice; whether, trapped in my own high-mindedness, I'd failed to tell the American people a story they could believe in; and whether having ceded the political narrative to my critics, I was going to be able to wrest it back.”

America Politics President Economy Obama Recession

Book:A Promised Land

Source: A Promised Land

“We're going to have to invest in the American people again, in tax cuts for the middle class, in health care for all Americans, and college for every young person who wants to go. In businesses that can create the new energy economy of the future. In policies that will lift wages and will grow our middle class. These are the policies I have fought for my entire career.”

People Want Persons Care Young Energy Grows Class Careers Economy Cutting Middle Policy College Taxes Health Care Lifts Middle Class Wages Tax Cuts New Energy

Author:Barack Obama

“The Recovery Act, which helped saved the economy and prevented us going into the Great Depression, was the largest investment in green technology, the largest investment in education. We rebuilt roads and bridges.”

Technology Economy Green Investment Saved Recovery Bridges Great Depression Investment In Education Green Technology

Author:Barack Obama

“When you start just focusing exclusively on trying to tear the other person down instead of what you are going to do on behalf of the American people to deal with this economy, then that's not serving Democrats, that's not serving Republicans, that's not serving anybody.”

People Trying Persons Deals Economy Tears Republican Democrat Serving Behalf

Author:Barack Obama

“Americans have always pursued our dreams within a free market that has been the engine of our progress. It's a market that has created a prosperity that is the envy of the world, and rewarded the innovators and risk-takers who have made America a beacon of science, and technology, and discovery. But the American economy has worked in large part because we have guided the market's invisible hand with a higher principle - that America prospers when all Americans can prosper. That is why we have put in place rules of the road to make competition fair, and open, and honest.”

“Globalization makes our economy, our health, and our security all captive to events on the other side of the world. And no other nation on earth has a greater capacity to shape that global system, or to build consensus around a new set of international rules that expand the zones of freedom, personal safety, and economic well-being. Like it or not, if we want to make America more secure, we are going to have to help make the world more secure.”

Source: The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream

“I think the big challenge that we've got on education is making sure that from kindergarten or prekindergarten through your 14th or 15th year of school, or 16th year of school, or 20th year of school, that you are actually learning the kinds of skills that make you competitive and productive in a modern, technological economy.”

Thinking Years Kind Bigs School Challenges Economy Modern Skills Productive Technological Kindergarten Big Challenges

Author:Barack Obama

“I think what grows the economy is when you get that tax credit that we put in place for your kids going to college. I think that grows the economy. I think what grows the economy is when we make sure small businesses are getting a tax credit for hiring veterans who fought for our country. That grows our economy.”

Thinking Country Kids Grows Economy College Taxes Credit Our Country Veteran Small Business Hiring Going To College

Author:Barack Obama

“Without investments in research and science that will create the next Apple, create the next new innovation that will sell products around the world, we will lose. If we're not training engineers to make sure that they are equipped here in this country, then companies won't come here. Those investments are what's going to help to make sure that we continue to lead this world economy not just next year, but 10 years from now, 50 years from now, a hundred years from now.”

Ifs World Years Country Helping Next Loses Company Economy This World Products Training Research Hundred Innovation Sells Investment Around The World Apples Engineers Next Year World Economy

Author:Barack Obama

“I believe that the free enterprise system is the greatest engine of prosperity the world's ever known. I believe in self-reliance and individual initiative and risk-takers being rewarded. But I also believe that everybody should have a fair shot and everybody should do their fair share and everybody should play by the same rules, because that's how our economy's grown. That's how we built the world's greatest middle class.”

“If we want to make the best products, we also have to invest in the best ideas... Every dollar we invested to map the human genome returned $140 to our economy... Today, our scientists are mapping the human brain to unlock the answers to Alzheimer's... Now is not the time to gut these job-creating investments in science and innovation. Now is the time to reach a level of research and development not seen since the height of the Space Race.”

“The things that led me to run for office - trying to figure out how we create an economy where everybody's got a fair shot and if you work hard, you can achieve your dreams.”

Ifs Trying Hard Dream Running Economy Achieve Figures Hard Work Office Shots Fairs Your Dreams Achieving Your Dreams

Author:Barack Obama

“We are going through historic times, and my vision is a world, first of all, in which America continues to be that one indispensable nation. Because we're taking care of our own people, because our economy is strong and our middle class is growing, and people feel like hard work is rewarded, and we are continuing to expand opportunity and diversity and tolerance and respect.”

“We've got some fundamental choices to make about the kind of country we want to be. Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well, or are we going to build an economy where everyone who works hard has a chance to get ahead?”

Want Wells Kind Country Hard Choices Chance Accepting Economy Hard Work Fundamentals Get Ahead

Author:Barack Obama

“Reversing structural problems in our economy that have been building up for two decades, that was gonna take time. It was gonna take more than a year. It was gonna take more than two years. It was gonna take more than one term. Probably takes more than one president.”

Years Has Beens Two Problem President Term Economy Building Decades Two Years Take Time Building Up

Author:Barack Obama

“No other country in the world does what we do. On every issue, the world turns to us, not simply because of the size of our economy or our military might - but because of the ideals we stand for, and the burdens we bear to advance them.”

World Doe Country Might Turns Economy Issues Military Bears Ideals Size Burden Other Countries

Author:Barack Obama

“America isn't Congress. America isn't Washington. America is the striving immigrant who starts a business, or the mom who works two low-wage jobs to give her kid a better life. America is the union leader and the CEO who put aside their differences to make the economy stronger.”

Giving Two Kids Jobs America Differences Leader Economy Mom Lows Stronger Unions Strive Congress Immigrants Ceo Better Life

Author:Barack Obama

“The nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy.”

Politics Energy Nations Economy Clean Climate Change Global Economy Clean Energy

Author:Barack Obama

“Climate change poses a direct threat to the infrastructure of America that we need to stay competitive in this 21st-century economy.”

Needs America Politics Economy Century Direct Threat Climate Climate Change 21st Century Infrastructure

Author:Barack Obama

“Young people: I understand this is important to you, but as you be thinking about climate change, the economy and jobs, war and peace, maybe way at the bottom you should be thinking about marijuana.”

People Thinking Way Should Important War Jobs Young Peace Change Economy Climate Bottom Climate Change Marijuana

Author:Barack Obama

“We have to make sure America writes the rules of the global economy, and we should do it today while our economy is in the position of global strength, because if we don't write the rules for trade around the world, guess what: China will.”

Ifs World Should Writing Today America Economy Strength Position Trade China Around The World Global Economy

Author:Barack Obama

“There is no doubt that thanks to the steps that we took early on to rescue our economy and to rebuild it on a new foundation, we are entering into the new year with new confidence that America is coming back.”

Years America Steps Economy Doubt Confidence Foundation Thanks No Doubt New Year Rescue Entering Coming Back

Author:Barack Obama

“I am willing to work with anybody who wants to have a serious conversation about our fiscal future. We're not going to do this under the threat of blowing up the entire economy. I will not negotiate over Congress' responsibility to pay the bills that have already been racked up. I don't know how I can be more clear about this.”

Knows Want I Can Pay Responsibility Know How Economy Clear Willing Serious Conversation Bills Threat Congress Blowing Up

Author:Barack Obama

“One thing I will not compromise over is whether or not Congress should pay the tab for a bill they've already racked up. If Congress refuses to give the United States the ability to pay its bills on time, the consequences for the entire global economy could be catastrophic.”

Ifs Giving Should States Ability United Pay United States Economy One Thing Consequence Bills Congress Refuse Compromise Global Economy

Author:Barack Obama

“If you think that running your economy into the ground and having to send troops in in order to prop up your only ally is leadership, then we've got a different definition of leadership.”

Ifs Thinking Different Running Order Economy Definitions Allies Troops Props Definition Of Leadership

Author:Barack Obama

“Will not collect a ransom in exchange for not crashing the American economy.”

Economy Ransom American Economy

Author:Barack Obama

“If we're serious about building an economy that lasts, we have got to get serious about education. We are going to have to pick up our games and raise our standards.”

Ifs Lasts Games Economy Building Serious Standards Picks Raises High Standards Quality Education

Author:Barack Obama

“So I'm not proposing anything radical. I just believe that anybody making over $250,000 a year should go back to the income tax rates we were paying under Bill Clinton. Back when our economy created nearly 23 million new jobs, the biggest budget surplus in history, and plenty of millionaires to boot. ... At the same time, most people agree that we should not raise taxes on middle-class families or small businesses -- not when so many folks are just trying to get by.”

“Entrepreneurs embody the promise of America: the idea that if you have a good idea and are willing to work hard and see it through, you can succeed in this country. And in fulfilling this promise, entrepreneurs also play a critical role in expanding our economy and creating jobs.”

Ifs Ideas Country Hard Play Jobs America Roles Economy Willing Hard Work Promise Succeed Creating Entrepreneur Critical Good Ideas Fulfilling Expanding Creating Jobs

Author:Barack Obama

“For the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as President: in ten years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East.”

Years Ends Goal President Economy Clear Middle Security Planets Ten Sake Oil East Middle East Dependence Our Planet Clear Goals

Author:Barack Obama

“We know that the nation that goes all-in on innovation today will own the global economy tomorrow. This is an edge America cannot surrender.”

Knows Today America Nations Economy Tomorrow Innovation Edges Surrender Global Economy

Author:Barack Obama

“California is our biggest economy. California is our biggest agricultural producer. So what happens here matters to every working American.”

Matter Happens Economy Producers California

Author:Barack Obama

“As I travel around the world, it's fascinating; European leaders, Asian leaders, they all say to me, America is actually poised to be the world leader for another century - if we can fix some of this political dysfunction. ... We've got a lot of national security challenges, but if we get our economy together, and if we can get our political system to work well, I am really confident about our future.”

“I'll go anywhere and I'll do whatever it takes to get this done. It's too important for Washington to screw this up. Now's the time for us to work on what we all agree to, which is let's keep middle-class taxes low. That's what our economy needs. That's what the American people deserve.”

People Needs Important Done Class Economy Middle Taxes Lows Deserve Agree Middle Class Screws Whatever It Takes

Author:Barack Obama

“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.”

People Country Hard Grows Economy Groups Hard Work Benefits Resources Connections Available Merit Judged Select

Book:Barack Obama: Speeches on the Road to the White House

Source: Barack Obama: Speeches on the Road to the White House

“I didn't have a perfect model, but I wanted to try to blend my own personal reflections and experiences with this broader canvas to see how a lot of the narratives we have about economy and foreign policy got stuck. Because we have these categories of liberal, conservative, free marketer, open government - all these stereotypes about our politics and the categories we try to put things in are inadequate to this sort of complex, ambiguous, sometimes contradictory experience we have as ordinary people and that I have as an elected official.”

“We have to focus on how do we ensure the economy works for everybody, and not just a few.”

Economy Focus

Author:Barack Obama

“More broadly, Prime Minister Lee [Hsien Loong] and I will work to advance the US-Singapore partnership across the board. We're committed to sustaining the dynamism of our economies with the Trans-Pacific Partnership - the highest-standard trade agreement ever - which will support trade and innovation in both our countries.”

“In a global economy where our economies and supply chains are deeply integrated, it's not even possible.”

Economy Chains Integrated Global Economy Supply Chain

Author:Barack Obama

“We continue to urge China and other claimants to work constructively to resolve these disagreements, so that the South China Sea - which is so vital to the global economy - can be defined by commerce and cooperation.”

Economy Sea South China Defined Urges Resolve Cooperation Commerce Disagreement Global Economy

Author:Barack Obama

“When I read history, I [see] what typically happens to presidents and the other party during tumultuous times and how people react when the economy is collapsing and they're losing their homes, losing their pensions - it sort of tracks, what ended up happening, because some of that is human nature.”

People Humans Home Happens President Party Economy Human Nature Losing Happenings Track Pension

Author:Barack Obama

“Health care has become a proxy for a broader set of issues about how much government should be involved in our economy, particularly coming off a huge economic crisis.”

Should Government Care Economy Issues Economic Huge Involved Crisis Health Care Economic Crisis Proxy

Author:Barack Obama

“I think we should all hope for a Russia that is successful, where its people are employed and the economy is growing and they are having good relationships with their neighbors.”

People Thinking Should Economy Successful Growing Neighbor Russia Employed Good Relationship

Author:Barack Obama

“A lot of countries have advanced capabilities. And given the vulnerabilities of our infrastructure and our economies to digital platforms, we have to be careful in making sure that this doesn't become a lawless, low-level battlefield.”

Country Given Levels Economy Lows Careful Vulnerability Digital Be Careful Capability Platforms Infrastructure Battlefields Low Level

Author:Barack Obama

“If the global economy is unresponsive to people who feel left behind, if inequality continues to grow, then we could end up seeing more and more of these divisions arise throughout advanced economies around the world.”

People Ifs World Feels Ends Left Grows Behinds Economy Seeing Arise Inequality Around The World Division Left Behind Global Economy Unresponsive

Author:Barack Obama

“Keep in mind that, when I came in, we had had a crisis that was the worst we've seen since the 1930s, and working with people like Chancellor Merkel, working with the G-20 and other institutions internationally, we were able to stabilize the financial system, stabilize the US economy and return to growth.”

People Mind Able Growth Economy Worst Return Crisis Institutions Financial 1930s Financial System

Author:Barack Obama

“I've always viewed the Paris Agreement as a starting point. If you look at all the commitments that have been made by all the countries, it's still not sufficient to deal with the very dangerous situation we face. What it has done is that it created an architecture whereby as technology improves, as we find new clean sources of energy, as we make our economies more efficient, then gradually we can turn up the dial and improve the outcomes of Paris.”

“I was able to excite and engage people who previously hadn't been involved in politics, and part of the reason that I was able to be re-elected and stay relatively popular in the United States was because even when the economy was bad or we had problems, people sensed that I listened to them and I was on their side.”

People States Reason Problem Able Sides United United States Economy Involved

Author:Barack Obama

“The values that we share - freedom of speech, freedom of religious practice, freedom for civil society, free and fair elections, all the innovation that's been created through a market-based economy - those things are ultimately going to be the path for us to continue into a better future. I hope that, despite some of the challenges we have, that people appreciate that.”

People Values Challenges Religious Practice Economy Path Share Speech Fairs Appreciate Innovation Election Despite Freedom Of Speech Civil Society Better Future Religious Practices

Author:Barack Obama

About the Author

Born: August 4, 1961
Known for: 44th U.S. President
Quotes: 3188

Books & Sources

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American DreamRelated source material

Barack Obama: Speeches on the Road to the White HouseRelated source material

Dreams From My FatherRelated source material

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and InheritanceRelated source material

An American Story: The Speeches of Barack Obama : a PrimerRelated source material

A Promised LandRelated source material

Change We Can Believe InRelated source material

Yes, We CanRelated source material

The Inaugural Address, 2009: Together with Abraham Lincoln's First and Second Inaugural Addresses and The Gettysburg Address and Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-RelianceRelated source material

Barack Obama & His Inspiring Speeches Vol 9Related source material

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