Reporter’s Notebook Records Quotes

Soundbites on the issues

* On Hillary Clinton: “I know I’m a better candidate because of running against her.”

* On the subprime mortgage crisis: “No one was minding the store and regulating the mortgage industry.”

* On the health care crisis: “Congress did what’s good for the drug companies. ... We need a health care system instead of a disease care system. ... I don’t think the American people can afford another four years.”

* On Republican John McCain’s opposition to a new GI Bill that beefs up health care and education benefits for military veterans: “It would cost per year half of what we spend a month in Iraq.”

* On drug companies influencing national health care legislation: “I’ll allow the drug companies to have a seat at the table, but they just won’t be able to buy every chair.”

* On the difference between his administration and George Bush’s in terms of who gets in to work in the White House: “The criteria will be integrity ... competence ... and independence. I want people to tell me when I’m wrong.”

* On being sleep deprived and having difficulty with an anecdote about children with asthma being treated in emergency rooms instead of getting cheap inhalers. But instead of inhaler, Obama said “Breathalyzer,” then “inhalator,” and finally “ventilator” before giving up: “You know what I mean,” he said to laughter.

* On using military force: “My first job as president will be to keep you safe. I won’t hesitate to strike at those who do us harm. But we need to use our military wisely.”

* On getting out of Iraq: “We’re going to have to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. ... It’s time to tell the Iraqi government to stand up and govern your own country.”

* On our national debt of more than $9 trillion, which was $5 trillion when George Bush took office: “For our first 42 presidents, it was $5 trillion; with No. 43, it’s $4 trillion more. It’s a mountain of debt.”

* On raising taxes: “If you make $250,000 a year or more, you’re going to pay a little more in taxes when I’m president of the United States. If you make $75,000, or $50,000, or $25,000, you’ll get $1,000 middle-class tax relief. If you are a senior making $50,000 or less, you won’t pay any incomes taxes on your Social Security at all.”

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