The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 23, 2012

Remarks by the President at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Washington, D.C.

10:00 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning, everyone.  It is a great honor to be with you here today.  Of course, it is a truly humbling moment to be introduced by Elie Wiesel.  Along with Sara Bloomfield, the outstanding director here, we just spent some time among the exhibits, and this is now the second visit I've had here.  My daughters have come here.  It is a searing occasion whenever you visit.  And as we walked, I was taken back to the visit that Elie mentioned, the time that we traveled together to Buchenwald. 
 
And I recall how he showed me the barbed-wire fences and the guard towers.  And we walked the rows where the barracks once stood, where so many left this Earth -- including Elie’s father, Shlomo.  We stopped at an old photo -- men and boys lying in their wooden bunks, barely more than skeletons.  And if you look closely, you can see a 16-year old boy, looking right at the camera, right into your eyes.  You can see Elie. 
 
And at the end of our visit that day, Elie spoke of his father.  "I thought one day I will come back and speak to him," he said, "of times in which memory has become a sacred duty of all people of goodwill."  Elie, you've devoted your life to upholding that sacred duty.  You’ve challenged us all -- as individuals, and as nations -- to do the same, with the power of your example, the eloquence of your words, as you did again just now.  And so to you and Marion, we are extraordinarily grateful.
 
To Sara, to Tom Bernstein, to Josh Bolten, members of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, and everyone who sustains this living memorial -- thank you for welcoming us here today.  To the members of Congress, members of the diplomatic corps, including Ambassador Michael Oren of Israel, we are glad to be with you. 
 
And most of all, we are honored to be in the presence of men and women whose lives are a testament to the endurance and the strength of the human spirit -- the inspiring survivors.  It is a privilege to be with you, on a very personal level.  As I’ve told some of you before, I grew up hearing stories about my great uncle -- a soldier in the 89th Infantry Division who was stunned and shaken by what he saw when he helped to liberate Ordruf, part of Buchenwald.   And I’ll never forget what I saw at Buchenwald, where so many perished with the words of Sh’ma Yis’ra’eil on their lips. 
 
I’ve stood with survivors, in the old Warsaw ghettos, where a monument honors heroes who said we will not go quietly; we will stand up, we will fight back.  And I’ve walked those sacred grounds at Yad Vashem, with its lesson for all nations -- the Shoah cannot be denied. 
 
During my visit to Yad Vashem I was given a gift, inscribed with those words from the Book of Joel:  "Has the like of this happened in your days or in the days of your fathers?  Tell your children about it, and let your children tell theirs, and their children the next generation."  That’s why we’re here.  Not simply to remember, but to speak. 
 
I say this as a President, and I say it as a father.  We must tell our children about a crime unique in human history.  The one and only Holocaust -- six million innocent people -- men, women, children, babies -- sent to their deaths just for being different, just for being Jewish.  We tell them, our children, about the millions of Poles and Catholics and Roma and gay people and so many others who also must never be forgotten.  Let us tell our children not only how they died, but also how they lived -- as fathers and mothers, and sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters who loved and hoped and dreamed, just like us.   
 
We must tell our children about how this evil was allowed to happen -- because so many people succumbed to their darkest instincts, and because so many others stood silent.  Let us also tell our children about the Righteous Among the Nations.  Among them was Jan Karski, a young Polish Catholic, who witnessed Jews being put on cattle cars, who saw the killings, and who told the truth, all the way to President Roosevelt himself. 
 
Jan Karski passed away more than a decade ago.  But today, I’m proud to announce that this spring I will honor him with America’s highest civilian honor -- the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  (Applause.)
 
We must tell our children.  But more than that, we must teach them.  Because remembrance without resolve is a hollow gesture.  Awareness without action changes nothing.  In this sense, "never again" is a challenge to us all -- to pause and to look within.
 
For the Holocaust may have reached its barbaric climax at Treblinka and Auschwitz and Belzec, but it started in the hearts of ordinary men and women.  And we have seen it again -- madness that can sweep through peoples, sweep through nations, embed itself.  The killings in Cambodia, the killings in Rwanda, the killings in Bosnia, the killings in Darfur -- they shock our conscience, but they are the awful extreme of a spectrum of ignorance and intolerance that we see every day; the bigotry that says another person is less than my equal, less than human.  These are the seeds of hate that we cannot let take root in our heart.
 
"Never again" is a challenge to reject hatred in all of its forms -- including anti-Semitism, which has no place in a civilized world.  And today, just steps from where he gave his life protecting this place, we honor the memory of Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns, whose family joins us today.
 
"Never again" is a challenge to defend the fundamental right of free people and free nations to exist in peace and security -- and that includes the State of Israel.  And on my visit to the old Warsaw Ghetto, a woman looked me in the eye, and she wanted to make sure America stood with Israel.  She said, "It’s the only Jewish state we have."  And I made her a promise in that solemn place.  I said I will always be there for Israel.
 
So when efforts are made to equate Zionism to racism, we reject them.  When international fora single out Israel with unfair resolutions, we vote against them.  When attempts are made to delegitimize the state of Israel, we oppose them.  When faced with a regime that threatens global security and denies the Holocaust and threatens to destroy Israel, the United States will do everything in our power to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.    
 
"Never again" is a challenge to societies.  We’re joined today by communities who’ve made it your mission to prevent mass atrocities in our time.  This museum’s Committee of Conscience, NGOs, faith groups, college students, you’ve harnessed the tools of the digital age -- online maps and satellites and a video and social media campaign seen by millions.  You understand that change comes from the bottom up, from the grassroots.  You understand -- to quote the task force convened by this museum -- "preventing genocide is an achievable goal."  It is an achievable goal.  It is one that does not start from the top; it starts from the bottom up.
 
It’s remarkable -- as we walked through this exhibit, Elie and I were talking as we looked at the unhappy record of the State Department and so many officials here in the United States during those years.  And he asked, "What would you do?"  But what you all understand is you don't just count on officials, you don't just count on governments.  You count on people -- and mobilizing their consciences. 
 
And finally, "never again" is a challenge to nations.  It’s a bitter truth -- too often, the world has failed to prevent the killing of innocents on a massive scale.  And we are haunted by the atrocities that we did not stop and the lives we did not save. 
 
Three years ago today, I joined many of you for a ceremony of remembrance at the U.S. Capitol.  And I said that we had to do "everything we can to prevent and end atrocities."  And so I want to report back to some of you today to let you know that as President I’ve done my utmost to back up those words with deeds.  Last year, in the first-ever presidential directive on this challenge, I made it clear that "preventing mass atrocities and genocide is a core national security interest and a core moral responsibility of the United States of America."
 
That does not mean that we intervene militarily every time there’s an injustice in the world.  We cannot and should not.  It does mean we possess many tools -- diplomatic and political, and economic and financial, and intelligence and law enforcement and our moral suasion -- and using these tools over the past three years, I believe -- I know -- that we have saved countless lives.    
 
When the referendum in South Sudan was in doubt, it threatened to reignite a conflict that had killed millions.  But with determined diplomacy, including by some people in this room, South Sudan became the world’s newest nation.  And our diplomacy continues, because in Darfur, in Abyei, in Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile, the killing of innocents must come to an end.  The Presidents of Sudan and South Sudan must have the courage to negotiate -- because the people of Sudan and South Sudan deserve peace.  That is work that we have done, and it has saved lives.
 
When the incumbent in Côte D’Ivoire lost an election but refused to give it up -- give up power, it threatened to unleash untold ethnic and religious killings.  But with regional and international diplomacy, and U.N. peacekeepers who stood their ground and protected civilians, the former leader is now in The Hague, and Côte D’Ivoire is governed by its rightful leader -- and lives were saved.  
 
When the Libyan people demanded their rights and Muammar Qaddafi’s forces bore down on Benghazi, a city of 700,000, and threatened to hunt down its people like rats, we forged with allies and partners a coalition that stopped his troops in their tracks.  And today, the Libyan people are forging their own future, and the world can take pride in the innocent lives that we saved.
 
And when the Lord’s Resistance Army led by Joseph Kony continued its atrocities in Central Africa, I ordered a small number of American advisors to help Uganda and its neighbors pursue the LRA.  And when I made that announcement, I directed my National Security Council to review our progress after 150 days.  We have done so, and today I can announce that our advisors will continue their efforts to bring this madman to justice, and to save lives.  (Applause.)  It is part of our regional strategy to end the scourge that is the LRA, and help realize a future where no African child is stolen from their family and no girl is raped and no boy is turned into a child soldier. 
 
We’ve stepped up our efforts in other ways.  We’re doing more to protect women and girls from the horror of wartime sexual violence.  With the arrest of fugitives like Ratko Mladic, charged with ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, the world sent a message to war criminals everywhere:  We will not relent in bringing you to justice.  Be on notice.  And for the first time, we explicitly barred entry into the United States of those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
 
Now we’re doing something more.  We’re making sure that the United States government has the structures, the mechanisms to better prevent and respond to mass atrocities.  So I created the first-ever White House position dedicated to this task.  It’s why I created a new Atrocities Prevention Board, to bring together senior officials from across our government to focus on this critical mission.  This is not an afterthought.  This is not a sideline in our foreign policy.  The board will convene for the first time today, at the White House.  And I’m pleased that one of its first acts will be to meet with some of your organizations -- citizens and activists who are partners in this work, who have been carrying this torch.
 
Going forward, we’ll strengthen our tools across the board, and we'll create new ones.  The intelligence community will prepare, for example, the first-ever National Intelligence Estimate on the risk of mass atrocities and genocide.  We're going to institutionalize the focus on this issue.  Across government, "alert channels" will ensure that information about unfolding crises -- and dissenting opinions -- quickly reach decision-makers, including me.
 
Our Treasury Department will work to more quickly deploy its financial tools to block the flow of money to abusive regimes.  Our military will take additional steps to incorporate the prevention of atrocities into its doctrine and its planning.  And the State Department will increase its ability to surge our diplomats and experts in a crisis.  USAID will invite people and high-tech companies to help create new technologies to quickly expose violations of human rights.  And we’ll work with other nations so the burden is better shared -- because this is a global responsibility.
 
In short, we need to be doing everything we can to prevent and respond to these kinds of atrocities -- because national sovereignty is never a license to slaughter your people.  (Applause.) 
 
We recognize that, even as we do all we can, we cannot control every event.  And when innocents suffer, it tears at our conscience.  Elie alluded to what we feel as we see the Syrian people subjected to unspeakable violence, simply for demanding their universal rights.  And we have to do everything we can.  And as we do, we have to remember that despite all the tanks and all the snipers, all the torture and brutality unleashed against them, the Syrian people still brave the streets.  They still demand to be heard.  They still seek their dignity.  The Syrian people have not given up, which is why we cannot give up.

And so with allies and partners, we will keep increasing the pressure, with a diplomatic effort to further isolate Assad and his regime, so that those who stick with Assad know that they are making a losing bet.  We’ll keep increasing sanctions to cut off the regime from the money it needs to survive.  We’ll sustain a legal effort to document atrocities so killers face justice, and a humanitarian effort to get relief and medicine to the Syrian people.  And we’ll keep working with the "Friends of Syria" to increase support for the Syrian opposition as it grows stronger.

Indeed, today we’re taking another step.  I’ve signed an executive order that authorizes new sanctions against the Syrian government and Iran and those that abet them for using technologies to monitor and track and target citizens for violence.  These technologies should not empower -- these technologies should be in place to empower citizens, not to repress them.  And it’s one more step that we can take toward the day that we know will come -- the end of the Assad regime that has brutalized the Syrian people -- and allow the Syrian people to chart their own destiny.

Even with all the efforts I’ve described today, even with everything that hopefully we have learned, even with the incredible power of museums like this one, even with everything that we do to try to teach our children about our own responsibilities, we know that our work will never be done. There will be conflicts that are not easily resolved.  There will be senseless deaths that aren’t prevented.  There will be stories of pain and hardship that test our hopes and try our conscience.  And in such moments it can be hard to imagine a more just world. 
 
It can be tempting to throw up our hands and resign ourselves to man’s endless capacity for cruelty.  It’s tempting sometimes to believe that there is nothing we can do.  And all of us have those doubts.  All of us have those moments -- perhaps especially those who work most ardently in these fields.
 
So in the end, I come back to something Elie said that day we visited Buchenwald together.  Reflecting on all that he had endured, he said, "We had the right to give up."  "We had the right to give up on humanity, to give up on culture, to give up on education, to give up on the possibility of living one's life with dignity, in a world that has no place for dignity."  They had that right.  Imagine what they went through.  They had the right to give up.  Nobody would begrudge them that.  Who’d question someone giving up in such circumstances? 
 
But, Elie said, "We rejected that possibility, and we said, no, we must continue believing in a future."  To stare into the abyss, to face the darkness and insist there is a future -- to not give up, to say yes to life, to believe in the possibility of justice.  
 
To Elie and to the survivors who are here today, thank you for not giving up.  You show us the way.  (Applause.)  You show us the way.  If you cannot give up, if you can believe, then we can believe.  If you can continue to strive and speak, then we can speak and strive for a future where there’s a place for dignity for every human being.  That has been the cause of your lives.  It must be the work of our nation and of all nations. 
 
So God bless you.  And God bless the United States of America.  Thank you very much.  (Applause.)
 
END
10:27 A.M. EDT    
 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 20, 2012

Remarks by the President at Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride

South Lawn

4:38 P.M. EDT

        THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you!  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  Well, good afternoon, everybody.  Welcome to the White House.  Thank you, Ric, for that introduction.  More importantly, thank you for your service and for everything you do for our veterans and our wounded warriors. 

        We’ve also got here today Senator Tom Udall and Congresswoman Corrine Brown with us.  Thank you all for coming.

        This is the fourth time we’ve had the Soldier Ride here in the South Lawn.  And this year, you’ve already covered some ground -- 34 miles over the last few days, and another 24-mile ride tomorrow.  So our job is to give you a break, maybe even a little extra fuel, and get you back on the road.

        The reason I ask this group to stop by every year is because this is one of the most inspiring events that we have here at the White House.  As Commander-in-Chief, I can’t take sides, but I know the Army is represented here.  (Hooah!)  Navy is represented here.  (Navy!)  We’ve got some Air Force.  (Hooyah!)  We’ve got some Marines in the house.  (Ooh-rah!)  And we’ve got some Coast Guard.  (Applause.)  (Laughter.)  And there's some folks here who don’t wear a uniform, but who work just as hard and sacrifice just as much alongside you -- and that's our outstanding military families in the house.  (Applause.)

        So this is a pretty diverse group.  And I know you’re all doing this ride for different reasons.  Some of you may be athletes looking to get the competitive juices flowing again.  Maybe some of you are trying to see how far you can push yourselves.  Some of you are doing it for the camaraderie and the bond that comes when you work hard alongside people who know what you’re going through.  Maybe you’re doing it to honor a loved one or a buddy.  But all of you are here because you believe in living your lives to the fullest.  You know that each of us has a responsibility to seize the opportunities we’ve been blessed with.  You ride because you can, and you ride for those who can’t.  That’s what this is all about.

        And that’s what inspired Chris Carney to hop on a bike and head across country on the first Soldier Ride eight years ago to raise money and awareness for returning troops and wounded warriors.  Chris came up with the idea working as a bartender in Long Island.  And I have to say it's better than most of the ideas that come out of bars.  (Laughter.)  At least that's been my experience.  (Laughter.)    

        Today, there are Soldier Rides all across the country.  They serve as a reminder that all of us can do our part to serve the men and women who serve us.  And I’m glad to see you’re all decked out in the stars and stripes, because I want anybody who sees this ride go by to know that they’re in the presence of heroes.

        Some of these guys I’ve had a chance to meet before.  I first met Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Max Rohn when he was in the hospital recovering from a grenade attack in Fallujah that cost him his leg.  And Max I think will admit he was in pretty rough shape at the time.  But the next time I saw him, at a dinner that we hosted here recently for Iraq War veterans, Max had gained 80 pounds -- or 40 pounds, and was training for the upcoming Wounded Warrior games.  I offered him two dinners after he finished the first one kind of quick, and he readily accepted.  (Laughter.)  After he finished the first dessert kind of quick, I offered him another one.  He accepted that one, too.  I am positive it is the most anybody has ever eaten in the White House.  (Laughter.)  And now he’s ready to ride.

        We’ve also got Captain Leslie Smith here today.  Leslie lost her leg and her eyesight after serving in Bosnia, and this is her first time back on a bike.  She’s going to be riding in tandem alongside Meghan Speicher-Harris, who works with the Wounded Warrior Project.  And it’s good to have them both here.

        And then there are the Schei brothers -- Erik and Deven.  When Erik enlisted in the Army, Deven made a promise that if anything bad ever happened, he would finish what his brother started.  And during his second tour in Iraq, Erik was shot in the head by a sniper.  So Deven enlisted.  Then two years ago, Deven was injured in Afghanistan.  And now the two brothers ride a specially-made tandem bike, with Deven leading the way.  They’re taking on this latest challenge just like they did every other one -- together.

        So these men and women, they're an inspiration.  And it’s also inspiring to meet the families behind them -- the moms and dads, and the brothers and sisters, the sons and daughters who are standing by their side through good times and bad.  You’re heroes, too.  And I know Michelle and I look forward to any time we get to spend with military families.

        So I want to encourage everybody who sees these riders going by this weekend to go out and cheer, and say thanks, and salute, and show your support.  And as Commander-in-Chief, I promise to do everything I can to make sure that you guys get the care and the benefits that you deserve, that you've earned.  All of you have served your country.  That's why now it's time for the country to serve you.  That's what you deserve, and here in America we take care of our own.

        So to all the riders here today, we are proud of you.  Your country is proud of you.  And now I'm going to see how you guys do taking some laps around the South Lawn.  But you got to do it on the horn -- I don't want anybody cheating.  (Laughter.)

        All right.  On your marks, get set -- (the President sounds the horn.)  Hey!  (Applause.)

END 4:44 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 19, 2012

Remarks by the President Honoring the 2011 NCAA Football Champion University of Alabama Crimson Tide

South Lawn

2:27 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, good afternoon, everybody.  Have a seat.  Have a seat.  It is my pleasure to welcome the Alabama Crimson Tide back to the White House -- (applause) -- and congratulate them on winning their 14th National Championship -- their second in three years.  Roll Tide.  (Applause.)

I told Coach he's making this a habit.  (Laughter.)  I’m also happy to see the best team in D.C. high school football in the house.  (Applause.)  Congratulations to the other Crimson Tide -- Dunbar High School -- on their city championship.  (Applause.)  Might have some recruits out here, Coach.

Now, we've got a lot of proud ‘Bama fans here today.  It is good to see Mayor Maddox of Tuscaloosa again.  Mayor Bell of Birmingham is here, as well as members of Congress, including several Alabama alums.  I also want to recognize Alabama Director of Athletics Mal Moore and Interim University President Dr. Judy Bonner for their support of the best team in college football.  (Applause.)

Now, obviously this is a team that knows something about adversity.  It was one year ago next week that an F4 tornado carved a path right through the town of Tuscaloosa.  I traveled down there two days later to see the devastation with the Mayor and the Governor.  And I’ve got to tell you, I’d never seen anything like it.

And I remember something the Mayor said that day.  He said that when something like that happens, folks tend to forget all their petty differences.  Things like politics, religion, race   -– when we’re confronted with a tragedy of such magnitude, all that just fades away.  We’re reminded that all we have is each other.  And if you need proof of that, just look how the Auburn community stepped up during that time of need.

The storm took the lives of 248 people, including six students.  And it touched this team personally.  Long snapper Carson Tinker’s girlfriend lost her life in the storm.  And a few weeks later, there was fresh grief -- for Aaron Douglas, an offensive lineman who passed away.  So this became a team in every sense of the word.  They remembered Aaron and those lost in the storm not just with their hearts, but on their helmets -- with a houndstooth ribbon and the number 77.

And then they took to the field.  They steamrolled opponent after opponent.  They racked up an 8-0 record going into the rivalry game against LSU.  Folks called it the "Game of the Century."  The top two teams in the country -- #1 versus #2; primetime national television.  And it delivered.  It was a defensive slugfest that wouldn’t be settled until overtime.  In the end, one team had to lose.  And ‘Bama gave up its only loss of the season.

Fortunately, they got a rematch.  In the National Championship game, the Tide not only beat the Tigers; they shut them out -- the first in BCS championship game history.  (Applause.)  LSU earned just five first downs, crossed the midfield line only once, and were held to less than 100 yards. 

And it wasn’t just the defense that played lights out.  Kicker Jeremy Shelley nailed a bowl-record five field goals.  Heisman Trophy finalist Trent Richardson rushed for the only touchdown of the game in his usual fashion -- like a boulder rolling downhill.  Offensive lineman Barrett Jones summed it up pretty well when he said, "We felt like we were capable of dominating, and we did that." 

So this team didn’t just shatter records.  I hear the championship trophy also took a bit of a spill -- (laughter) -- earlier this week. 

So this was a fun season to watch, but it was also a deeply meaningful season for the Tide.  And what’s even more impressive is that these young men showed that success isn’t about the individual -- it’s about the ability to work as a team.  That’s why senior linebacker Courtney Upshaw handed his defensive MVP award to his teammates, saying the whole defense deserved it.

That’s why Coach became the first to win three BCS national championships, but he gave credit to his players’ hard work and persistence.  They played as a team because of what they had endured as a team.  And so each victory was about more than getting to the title game -- it was about the lives of these players and coaches that they’d carried with them and what they meant to each other. 

Each of them found different ways to honor these memories.  Coach Saban started a program called “13 for 30” that aims to rebuild 13 houses for families who lost theirs in the tornado.  Strength coach Scott Cochran pitched in with players almost every Saturday helping families recover and rebuild.  Courtney Upshaw raised $20,000 in relief funds for the impacted families.  And Barrett Jones lugged a chainsaw around Tuscaloosa to remove tornado debris from homes and yards.  So the Tide showed us what it takes to win as a team, but they also showed what it means to be a part of a larger community:  to look out for one another,  to help.  And that makes them pretty special.

So I just want to say to all these outstanding men and all the staff, Coach and the entire Crimson Tide community, congratulations on an extraordinary season, and best of luck next season.  Who knows, I may see you again.

Thank you.  (Applause.)
   
COACH SABAN:  On behalf of the entire Crimson Tide Nation, we would like to make Mr. President Obama here a part of our team, for not only the support and opportunity that he’s given our team to be here today and to congratulate and honor them, but also the support that you offered and your leadership offered our community in a very difficult time last year with the tragedy of our tornado.

It takes a lot of teamwork.  It takes a lot of hard work.  It takes a lot of perseverance, certainly a lot of positive energy and attitude to be successful, and a lot of people with a lot of discipline and responsibility to be accountable to do what they're supposed to do -- probably some of the things that our country tries to do, as well.

And we just want our President to be a part of our team, and would like to present you -- Barrett Jones will present you a game jersey.

THE PRESIDENT:  Now, that's a nice-looking jersey right there.  (Laughter and applause.)

COACH SABAN:  From the 2011 national champs.  (Applause.)  We would also like to give you a helmet over here.  We certainly don't want to be responsible for any head injuries that the President might have.  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  I was mentioning yesterday, I’m probably going to need a helmet between now and November.  What do you think, Shelby?  (Laughter.)  Huh?  All right.

COACH SABAN:  Well, good.  Well, we really --

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you so much.

COACH SABAN:  We really appreciate the opportunity, and thank you for your time to honor our team.  Thank you very much.

THE PRESIDENT:  Coach, I appreciate you. 

END
2:35 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 18, 2012

Remarks by the President at a Campaign Event

Private Residence
Dearborn, Michigan

7:37 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, first of all, Denise and Jim, thank you for opening up this incredible home.  They have been great friends.  When I first met Denise, the fact that I was a Blackhawks fan -- (laughter) -- was incidental.  But she, right away, lent us her support, and getting to know her has been just an incredible pleasure.  And Jim, and your sons, thank you so much for helping to make this evening happen.

I want to thank Jerry Acker, I want to thank Barry Goodman for their great work.  You’ve got an outstanding former governor here, Jim Blanchard. (Applause.)

I want to thank Jalen Rose for -- (applause) -- even though he did not pick the Bulls to win the Eastern Conference -- (laughter) -- I’m not sure I agree with his analysis, but he is a wonderful commentator and obviously is a great basketball player.  And to have Willie Horton here is a great honor as well.  (Applause.)

In smaller settings like this what I love to do is not give a long speech, but just rather say a few things at the top and then just open it up for questions and comments.  I just came from the Henry Ford Museum -- what a spectacular museum.  I had never been there before; it exceeded all expectation.  I wanted to just go in there and roam around a bit, but they keep me on a schedule around here. (Laughter.)

But part of what was remarkable is it captured so much of America’s history -- what makes this country exceptional, what makes us special.  You had the ingenuity and the drive and the imagination of the Wright Brothers, and Fords, and all the inventors who helped to trigger this incredible economic superpower, and to build this remarkable middle class that Michigan represents.  And then it also had a range of displays about the long battle for freedom, to make sure that everybody was included in that American Dream.  So I actually had the chance to sit in Rosa Parks’ bus -- I just sat there for a moment and pondered the courage and tenacity that is part of our very recent history, but is also a part of that long line of folks -- sometimes nameless, oftentimes didn't make the history books -- but who constantly insisted on their dignity, their stake in the American Dream.

Now, we’ve gone through three and a half very tough years -- worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.  When I came into office we were losing 750,000 jobs per month.  Michigan had obviously been going through tough times for a decade or more, with outsourcing and plants closing and layoffs.  The auto industry was buckling, on its knees, on the verge of not just conventional bankruptcy but potentially a liquidation bankruptcy.  And I think a lot of people weren’t sure whether we were going to dip into a Great Depression.

And three and a half years later, we can look and say to ourselves that, in part because of the support of some of the folks in this room who helped not just propel me into office but helped to give America a vision of what we could be, GM is now the number-one automaker in the world again, it’s experience record profits; Chrysler is the faster growing auto company -- (applause) -- is making investments in plants and equipment, and we’ve seen 200,000 auto workers hired back, back on the job.  And that’s just part of this steady process of economic healing that’s led to 4 million jobs created in the last two years, businesses starting to invest again, and the financial system stabilized and banks starting to lend again to not just businesses but small -- just like this and small businesses and consumers.
   
And so as we see the economy growing, it gives people some cautious sense of optimism.  As I was at that museum, I reminded myself that when I ran for office in 2008, the goal wasn’t just to get back to where we were in 2006 or 2005.  We had gone through a decade in which job growth was sluggish, and incomes and wages flatlined.  The goal was to get back to that spirit that was reflected in that museum where we are building again, and we are creating products that are the envy of the world, and creating that sense of opportunity for people, where if they work hard they know that they can support a family, buy a home, send their kids to college, retire with dignity and respect; that sense that everybody, regardless of what they look like or where they come from, what their last name is, that everybody has a fair shot and everybody is doing their fair share and everybody is playing by the same set of rules.

And we had a nice big event over at the museum.  I told people, sometimes when you look at Washington you may not feel as if that spirit, that can-do spirit -- that spirit of not just innovation and possibility, but also that spirit that everybody can take part in it -- you might not feel that that’s very evident in Washington.  Because it just seems like folks in Washington are much more interested in ideological arguments and bickering.

But I tell you, as you travel around the country that spirit is still there.  It’s here in Michigan.  It’s in Ohio, where I just was.  You see it in our men and women in uniform as they’re defending our country around the world.  You see it in our places of worship.  That sense that we rise and fall together and that it makes sense for us to constantly be thinking not just about ourselves but about others, not just about today but about the next generation.  That spirit is still out there.  It’s still out there.

And we captured that spirit in 2008.  We’ve got to recapture it in 2012.  And the stakes could not be higher, because the contrast between the two parties is going to be probably more pronounced in 2012 than it was in 2008.  The other side has a very different vision.  Yes, they’re patriots; they care about the country.  But their basic mission seems to be one in which a few folks are doing well at the top and everybody else is struggling to get by, but that’s okay -- that somehow that is a formula for growth.

We’ve got a different idea -- that we believe in the free market, we believe in individual initiative, but we also believe in giving back, and investing in schools so that everybody gets the education they need; investing in science and technology so that the great inventions that the marketplace takes advantage of are constantly happening here in the United States in our labs and our universities.  We believe in creating the infrastructure that serves as a platform for economic growth.  We believe in making sure that the vulnerable among us and our seniors have a basic safety net, because we never know which one of us might at some point be stricken with an illness or suffer a layoff.  And most of us in this room have somebody in their background who knows what it’s like to fall on hard times and understand how important those safety nets are in order to get people back on their feet so they can succeed.

So we’ve got a lot at stake in this election.  The good news is that I think we’ve got the truth on our side, and I think the values that we’re going to be talking about over the next several months are not Democratic values or Republican values, they’re American values.  And I think people are going to be, once again, choosing a better future and our best traditions.  That’s what we’re going to be fighting for.  I’m glad you guys are on the team as I go out there and do that. 

So thank you very much. (Applause.)

END
7:47 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 18, 2012

Remarks by the President at a Campaign Event

Henry Ford Museum
Dearborn, Michigan

5:34 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, Michigan!  (Applause.)  How is everybody doing?  (Applause.)  It is good to be in Dearborn.  It is good to be back in the Motor City!  (Applause.)

A couple of people I want to acknowledge here.  First of all, give it up for Jeff.  Thank you so much for that outstanding introduction.  Thank you, Jeff.  (Applause.)

We've got Dearborn Mayor -- John O'Reilly is here.  (Applause.)  Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon.  (Applause.)  Wayne County Commissioner Gary Woronchak.  (Applause.)  Although he is not here, he has done an outstanding job representing this district for longer than just about anybody -- John Dingell.  (Applause.)  And John's wonderful wife, Debbie, is here.  (Applause.)  I want to thank Keith William Brown and Gary Bolda from the UAW.  (Applause.)  And I'm grateful that Cynthia and Edsel Ford, II, are here.  Thank you so much.  (Applause.)

And I'm glad all of you are here.  (Applause.)  This is a fantastic museum.  I've got to bring the girls back here.  I've got to check it out.  (Applause.) 

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Look at this guy -- I didn’t mean to start a dialogue here.  (Laughter.) 

Well, listen, I am here not just because I need your help -- although I do.  I’m here because the country needs your help.  I see a lot of folks here who worked tirelessly on my 2008 campaign and -- (applause) -- let's face it you did not do it because you thought this was going to be a cakewalk.  When you decide to support a candidate named Barack Hussein Obama -- (applause) -- you know the odds are not necessarily in your favor.  (Applause.) You didn’t need a poll to tell you that wasn’t going to be a sure thing.  (Laughter.)  

But the point is you didn’t get involved in this campaign just because of me.  You did it because you we're making a commitment to each other.  You had a shared vision for America.  It wasn’t a vision where just a few were doing well and everybody else is left to fend for themselves and play by their own rules. It was a big, bold, generous vision of America where everybody who works hard has a chance to get ahead -- not just those at the very top. 

That’s the vision we shared.  That’s the commitment you made to each other.  And we knew it wasn’t going to be easy.  We knew the changes that we believed in wouldn't necessarily come quickly.  But we understood that if we were determined, that we could overcome any obstacle, that we could meet any challenge.  And in just three years, because of what you did in 2008, we've begun to see what change looks like.  (Applause.)  We've begun to see it. 

Think about it.  Change is the decision we made to rescue the American auto industry from collapse, when some politicians said let Detroit go bankrupt.

AUDIENCE:  Nooo -- 

THE PRESIDENT:  There were 1 million jobs on the line -- and the fate of communities all across the Midwest was on the line -- and we weren’t going to let it happen.  I placed my bets on American workers.  (Applause.)  Today, GM is back on top as the number-one automaker in the world.  Chrysler is growing faster than any other car company.  Ford is investing billions in plants and factories all across America, bringing thousands of jobs home -- (applause) -- 200,000 new jobs over the last two and a half years.  The American auto industry is back.  And that happened because of you.  (Applause.)  That happened because of you. 

There are folks like Jeff all across the country, and all across Michigan, all across Ohio and Indiana, and all across the Midwest.  Because you had confidence in America’s capacity to change, they were able to show just what they can do.

Change is the decision we made to stop waiting for Congress to do something about our oil addiction and finally raise fuel-efficiency standards on cars.  With the agreement of the auto industry, by the next -- by the middle of the next decade, we will be driving American-made cars, better than ever, that get 55 miles to a gallon.  (Applause.)  That saves the typical family over $8,000 at the pump, helps the environment.  That’s what change is.  That happened because of you.

Change is the first bill I signed into law --

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Lilly Ledbetter! 

THE PRESIDENT:  Lilly Ledbetter -- (applause) -- a law that says women deserve an equal day’s pay for an equal day’s work.  (Applause.)  Our daughters should have the same opportunities as our sons.  (Applause.)

Change is the fight we won to stop handing out over $60 billion in taxpayer giveaways to banks who are managing the student loans -- give that money directly to the students.  And now you’ve got millions of students all across America who are benefitting with higher student loans, help -- more help.  (Applause.)  That happened because of you.  This young man right here mentioned it when I saw him behind stage.

Change is health care reform that we passed after a century of trying.  (Applause.)  Because of your commitment, here in the United States of America, nobody has to go broke because they get sick.  Already 2.5 million young people have health insurance that didn’t have it before because this law lets them stay on their parent's plan.  (Applause.)  Millions of seniors, now paying less for their prescription drugs.  It means Americans can no longer be denied or dropped by their insurance companies when they need care the most.  (Applause.)  And it means every American will be able to get health care, regardless of who you are, how much money you make.  It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a preexisting condition, you will be able to get coverage.  That’s what change is.  (Applause.)

Change is the fact that for the first time in history, you don’t have to hide who you love in order to serve the country you love, because we ended "don't ask, don't tell."  (Applause.)

Change is the promise we made in 2008.  For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq.  We have refocused our efforts on the terrorists who actually attacked us on 9/11.  Al Qaeda is weaker than it’s ever been.  Thanks to our amazing troops, Osama bin Laden no longer walks the face of this Earth.  (Applause.)  We have begun to transition out of Afghanistan.  That’s what change is.  (Applause.)

AUDIENCE:  Four more years!  Four more years!  Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT:  None of this change would have happened if it weren’t for you.  And now we’ve got more work to do.  We’ve got a lot more work to do.  There's still too many Americans here in Michigan and all across the country that are out there looking for work.  There are still too many Americans who have a tough time paying the bills or making the mortgage.  We’re still recovering from the worst economic crisis of our generation.
 
But the good news is, is that over the past two years, businesses have added over 4 million new jobs.  Our manufacturers are creating jobs for the first time since the 1990s.  Now we've got to keep it going.  And the last thing we can afford to do is to go back to the very same policies that got us into this mess in the first place.  (Applause.)  That’s part of what this election is all about.
  
That’s what these other folks who are running for this office want to do.  They make no secret about it.  They want to roll back Wall Street reforms, so suddenly Wall Street is playing by its own rules again.  They want to roll back health insurance reform, go back to the days when insurance companies could jack up your rates or deny you coverage without any reason.  They want to spend trillions of dollars more on tax breaks for our wealthiest citizens, even if it means adding to the deficit, even if it means gutting student loan programs and education programs and clean energy, and making Medicare more expensive for seniors.

AUDIENCE:  No!

THE PRESIDENT:  Their philosophy is, is that we’re better off if a few are doing well at the top and everybody else is fending for themselves.  And they’re wrong.  I have no doubt they love this country, but they’re wrong about this. 

In the United States of America, we have always been greater together than we are on our own.  (Applause.)  We’re better off when we stick to that notion that if you work hard in this country -- no matter where you come from, no matter what you look like, no matter what your religious faith, if you work hard, if you believe in this country, you can do well enough to raise a family, own a home, send your kids to college, put a little away for retirement.

That idea, that’s what’s at stake.  That’s the choice in this election.  This is not just another political debate.  There’s always going to be debating in Washington.  I mean, they’ll argue about anything.  (Laughter.)  But this is real.  This is a make-or-break moment for the middle class in this country, and all those who are fighting to get into the middle class.  Are we going to create those rungs on the ladder to opportunity, so that everybody has a shot?
 
We can go back to an economy that’s built on outsourcing and bad debt and phony financial profits.  That’s what we saw before 2008.  Or we can fight for an economy that’s built to last -- built on American manufacturing and American energy and skills for American workers, and the values that made this country great:  Hard work, fair play, shared responsibility.
 
You look at these amazing planes in this museum, and cars in this museum, and you’re reminded part of what made us great is making stuff.  And I want the next generation of manufacturing taking root not in Asia, not in Europe.  I want it to happen right here in Detroit, right here Michigan -- (applause) -- in Pittsburgh, in Cleveland, in the United States of America.  (Applause.)  I don’t want us to just be known for buying stuff from other countries.  I want to invent and build and sell American products all around the world.  (Applause.)

I want us to stop rewarding businesses that ship jobs overseas.  I want to reward companies that are investing here, creating jobs in America.  (Applause.)  I want us to make sure that we’ve got the best schools in the world.  And that means reform; it means properly funding our schools.  It means looking out for the man or woman at the front of the classroom.  (Applause.) 

A good teacher can increase the lifetime earnings of a classroom by over $250,000.  A great teacher can offer an escape from poverty for a child who thinks maybe they’re bound by their circumstances, but suddenly, that teacher helps them to raise their sights.  So I don’t want us defending the status quo, but I also don’t want a bunch of folks in Washington bashing teachers. (Applause.)  I want to give schools the resources they need to keep good teachers, to reward the best ones.  I want to give schools the flexibility they need to teach with creativity and passion, and stop teaching to the test, and train teachers properly.  (Applause.)  

And those who can’t make it, we understand they shouldn’t be in the classroom.  We want accountability, but we also want to make sure that we understand how important teaching is.  Nothing is more important. 

And when kids do graduate from high school, we’ve got to make college affordable.  (Applause.)  Americans already owe more tuition debt than credit card debt.  That’s one of the reasons Congress has to stop interest rates on student loans, which are scheduled to go up in July if we don’t do anything.

AUDIENCE:  Booo --

THE PRESIDENT:  Yes, that’s not good.  And then, colleges and universities have to do their part by keeping tuition from going up.  And state legislatures have to step up and make sure that they’re providing the support to higher education that’s necessary.  Higher education cannot be a luxury.  Whether it’s a two-year program at a community college or a four-year program or a post-doctorate program, it is not a luxury.  It is an economic imperative.  Every American family should be able to afford getting the skills they need to compete in this global economy.  (Applause.)  And that’s what we’re fighting for. 

We need to be supporting scientists and researchers who are trying to make the next breakthrough in clean energy or biotech. I want clean energy to happen here in the United States.  I want advanced batteries made here in the United States.  I want electric cars made here in the United States.  I want solar and wind power made here in the United States.  (Applause.)  We’ve been subsidizing oil companies with taxpayer giveaways for about 100 years now.  It’s time for us to double down on clean energy that has never been more promising.  (Applause.)

And we need to build in America -- roads, bridges, ports, airports, broadband lines.  That’s what this museum reminds us of, is what it means to build.  It’s time we stop taking the money that we’re spending at war -- use half of it to pay down our debt, use the other half to do some nation building here at home. (Applause.)  And when we talk about the deficit --

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you, Obama!
 
THE PRESIDENT:  I love you, baby.  (Laughter and applause.) Thank you.
 
AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you more!  (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT:  When we talk about the deficit, it’s a real problem.  It is something that we’re going to have to address.  We can’t leave a bunch of unpaid bills for our kids and our grandkids.  And so that means that we’ve got to make some tough decisions, get rid of programs that don’t work to make sure that we can invest in programs that do.  But we’ve also got to make sure that the tax system reflects everybody doing their fair share.  (Applause.) 

The Republicans in the Senate just rejected the Buffett Rule --

AUDIENCE:  Booo --

THE PRESIDENT:  -- wouldn’t let it come up for a vote.  Simple idea that if you make more than $1 million a year, you shouldn’t pay a lower tax rate than your secretary.  Now, the reason that’s important is because if we abided by that rule, then we could say to folks what I have repeatedly said, which is, the 98 percent of Americans who make $250,000 a year or less, your taxes shouldn’t go up.  And that idea is not -- it's not class warfare to say that somebody like me can afford to do a little bit more.  It’s just basic math. 

If I get a tax break that I don’t need and the country can’t afford, then one of two things has to happen.  Either it adds to the deficit because it’s not paid for -- that’s what they’ve been doing -- or somebody else is going to have to shoulder the burden -- a student who has to pay a higher rate on their student loan; a senior who has got to pay higher for their Medicare; a veteran who doesn’t get the help that they need to deal with the aftermath of having fought for our freedoms; a family that’s trying to get by.  That’s not right.  That’s not who we are. 

And when I hear politicians talk about values -- I agree, this campaign is, and should be, about values.  Hard work -- that’s a value.  Looking out for one another -- that’s a value.  (Applause.)  The idea that I am my brother’s keeper, I am my sister’s keeper -- that’s a value.  (Applause.)  That I have a commitment larger than myself. 

Each of us is here, every one of us is here because somebody, somewhere --

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Made a sacrifice.

THE PRESIDENT:  -- made a sacrifice, was looking out for us. (Applause.)  It starts with the family, but it extends beyond the family.  You think about what -- this museum was built because the Ford family and others said, you know what, this is important to the community that gave us so much.  Our grandparents, our great-grandparents, immigrants, slaves -- think about all the sacrifices they made not just to think about themselves but to think about the country.  Think about all our men and women in uniform making sacrifices because they believe that we are all in this together.  (Applause.) 

The American story has never been about just what we do on our own.  We don’t win the race for new jobs and new businesses and security and growth if it’s just you’re-on-your-own economics.  It doesn’t work.  And it’s never worked.  And we’ve tried it.  We just finished trying it.  Between 2000 and 2008, we tried what they’re selling.  It didn’t work.  Most sluggish job growth that we’ve seen, outsourcing, manufacturing deteriorating, and then it culminates in the worst crisis since the Great Depression.  Why would we think that it would work now?  (Laughter.)  Why would we want to go back to that?  (Applause.)

We’ve all got a stake in each other’s success.  When an outstanding teacher is attracted to the profession, given the pay that she deserves, and then that teacher goes on to teach some talented kid, maybe of modest means, and that kid goes on to become the next Steve Jobs, we all benefit.  If we provide faster Internet service and then it goes to a rural community and suddenly some small business has the chance to market to the world, and is hiring more workers, that benefits everybody’s bottom line.  That benefits the entire economy.  We build a new bridge and that saves the shipping company time and money.  You think about the research that led to the invention of the Internet and how much wealth has been created, but that came out of our collective efforts.  We all invested in that.  That’s how we grow. 

This is not a Democratic idea or Republican idea.  This is an American idea.  (Applause.)  It was Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican, who called for a progressive income tax; and Dwight Eisenhower, a Republican, who built the Interstate Highway System -- so all these outstanding cars from Michigan had somewhere to go.  (Applause.)  It was a Republican in Congress that helped FDR give millions of returning heroes -- including my grandfather -- a chance to go to college under the GI Bill.  This is an American idea.

And you know, that spirit still exists today.  Maybe not in Washington -- (laughter) -- but out in the country.  You go on Main Streets and town halls and VFW halls, you talk to the members of our Armed Forces, you go to our places of worship. 
Our politics is divided, but most Americans, they still understand we’re in this together.  No matter where we come from, no matter what we look like, no matter what our last named are, we rise or fall as one nation and as one people.  And that’s what’s at stake right now.  That’s what this election is all about. 

So let me just say, Michigan, I know these last three and a half years, four years, have been tough.  I know there are times where we think change isn’t happening as fast as we'd like.  But -- and I know that there’s a tendency sometimes -- and look at Washington and just say, you know what, it’s easier being cynical.  It’s easier just -- it's tempting to just say, maybe this isn't possible.  But remember what we said during the last campaign.  I said this was going to be hard.  Change takes time. Sometimes it takes more than year, it takes more than a single term.  It takes more than a single President. 

As I was walking in here, you’ve got a display of Abraham Lincoln, and then you’ve got the bus that Rosa Parks sat down in. It takes ordinary citizens to bring about change, who are committed to keep fighting and keep pushing, and keep inching this country closer to our highest ideals.  (Applause.)

That’s why I need all of you.  I need all of you.  I said in 2008, I am not a perfect man, I will never be a perfect President, but what I promised you was that I would always tell you what I thought, I would always tell you where I stood, and I would wake up every single day fighting for you as hard as I know how.  And I have kept that promise.  (Applause.)  I have kept that promise. 

And if you’re willing to keep pushing with me, to keep working on behalf of our higher ideals, there is nothing that will stop us.  And we will finish what we started in 2008.  (Applause.) 

God bless you.  God bless America.  (Applause.)

END 
5:59 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 18, 2012

Remarks by the President at Lorain County Community College, Elyria, OH

Lorain County Community College
Elyria, Ohio

2:36 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, everybody.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you so much.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Everybody, please have a seat. 

Well, hello, Ohio! 

AUDIENCE:  Hello!

THE PRESIDENT:  It is good to be back here at Lorain.  Last time I was here I had an outstanding burger at Smitty's.  (Laughter.)  I got my own presidential football helmet at Riddell.  I got a feeling I may need it between now and November. (Laughter.) 

It's also great to be back at Lorain Community College.  I want to thank Bronson for that wonderful introduction.  He is -- (applause) -- I had a chance to meet Bronson and Andrea and David and Duane.  And I just want Bronson's wife to know that he gives her all the credit in the world.  So just in case you're watching -- (laughter) -- Gladys, he loves you to death. 

I also want to thank your president, Dr. Roy Church --  (applause) -- your Mayor, Holly Brinda, for hosting us here today.  (Applause.)  I want to recognize my outstanding Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, in the house.  (Applause.)  And I want to thank all of you for coming.

I came here for a simple reason.  In an economy that’s still recovering from the worst financial crisis and the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes, the work that's going on here could not be more important.  I meet business owners all the time who want to hire in the United States, but they can’t always find the workers with the right skills.  You've got growing industries in science and technology that have twice as many openings as we have workers who can do the job.  That makes no sense -- openings at a time when there's still a lot of Americans, including some on this stage, who are looking for work.  So we've got to do a better job training more people for the skills that businesses are looking for. 

When I met with manufacturers a while back, they said it's starting to make economic sense to bring jobs back to Ohio, to bring jobs back to Michigan, to bring jobs back to Illinois and Iowa and Indiana, because even if the labor costs are lower there, the workers are better here.  And when you factor in transportation costs, a lot of times it makes sense to insource now, but that's only going to be true if we can make sure that we've got workers who have higher skills and can manage fancier machinery than folks in other places.  And all that starts with community colleges like this one.

So I just had a chance to listen to four of your classmates and hear a little bit about how they got here, where they’re headed.  I talked to Duane, who was laid off at a packaging company, is now learning how to operate high-tech machinery.  Andrea lost her job as an HR analyst, but she's now getting certified in the fast-growing field of electronic medical records.  David, who in addition to being a truck driver for 23 years was also a Marine, so we know he can do the job -- he's here to retrain for a higher-paying job.  And you just heard from Bronson, who was laid off two years ago, and you heard what he said.  He was at a dead end in his life, and this program -- along with his wife -- (laughter) -- gave him an opportunity.  So he's going to be learning hands-on machining over the next few weeks, after having already done some of the bookwork.

I have to tell you, when I meet these folks, these folks inspire me, because a lot of them have gone through tough times. Andrea is still dealing with the aftermath of the flood that damaged her home.  All of them have supportive family members.   And it's hard being out of work.  It's hard especially when you're mid-career, when you're having to change jobs.  And the resilience they show and the determination they show, that’s what America's about.  That’s our defining spirit.  We don't quit.

And so the question now is, how do we make sure that all of America is expressing that spirit through making sure that everybody is getting a fair shot?  Because that’s going to be a major debate that we have in this country not just for the next few months, but for the next few years:  Should we settle for an economy where a few people do really well and then a growing number are struggling to get by?  Or do we build an economy where people like Duane and Andrea and David and Bronson, they've got a chance to get ahead, where there are ladders of opportunity, where everybody gets a fair shot, and everybody does their fair share, and everybody is playing by the same set of rules?  (Applause.) 

And this is not just another run-of-the-mill political debate.  There's always chatter in Washington.  Folks argue about whether the sun rises in the east and whether it sets in the west, whether the sky is blue.  (Laughter.)  There's always going to be arguments in Washington.  But this one is different, because we're talking about the central challenge of our time.  Right now, we have two competing visions of our future, and the choice could not be clearer.  And let me say, those folks on the other side, I am sure they are patriots, I'm sure they're sincere in terms of what they say.  But their theory, I believe, is wrong.  

See, I’ve never believed that government can or should try to solve every problem we've got.  I believe that the free market is the greatest force for economic progress in human history.  I agree that everybody has personal responsibility for their own lives.  Everybody has got to work hard.  Nothing is ever handed to us.  But I also agree with our first Republican President -- a guy named Abraham Lincoln – who said that, through government, we should do together what we cannot do as well on our own.

There’s some things we don't do well on our own.  That’s why we’ve got a strong military to keep us safe.  That's why we have fire departments because we never know when we might have a fire in our house.  That's why we’ve got public schools to educate our children.  That's how we laid down railroads and highways, and supported research and technology that’s saved lives and helped create entire industries.  That's why we have programs like Medicare and Social Security and unemployment insurance, because any one of us -- I don't care how lucky you are, how rich you are, how blessed you are -- you never know, you could face a layoff, or a crippling illness, or a run of bad luck, or a tragedy.

Folks in Ohio know about that.  Nothing is given.  And that's why we’re helping more community colleges like this one to become community career centers, so folks who are looking for a new job or a better-paying job can learn the skills that businesses need right now.  And that's good for all of us.

Investing in a community college, just like investing in a new road or a new highway or broadband lines that go into rural communities, these investments are not part of some grand scheme to redistribute wealth.  They’ve been made by Democrats and Republicans for generations because they benefit all of us.  That's what leads to strong, durable economic growth.  That's how America became an economic superpower.  That's how we built the Transcontinental Railroad.  That's why we’ve got the best universities and colleges in the world.  That's why we have cutting-edge research that takes place here, and that then gets translated into new jobs and new businesses, because somebody did the groundwork.  We created a foundation for those of us to prosper. 

Somebody gave me an education.  I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth.  Michelle wasn’t.  But somebody gave us a chance -- just like these folks up here are looking for a chance.   

When you take classes at a community college like this one and you learn the skills that you need to get a job right away, that does not just benefit you; it benefits the company that ends up hiring and profiting from your skills.  It makes the entire region stronger economically.  It makes this country stronger economically.

In this country, prosperity does not trickle down; prosperity grows from the bottom up.  And it grows from a strong middle class out.  (Applause.)  That’s how we grow this economy. And that’s why I’m always confused when we keep having the same argument with folks who don’t seem to remember how America was built.  They keep telling us, well, if we just weaken regulations that keep our air and water clean and protect our consumers, if we just cut everybody’s taxes and convert these investments in community colleges and research and health care into tax cuts especially for the wealthy, that somehow the economy is going to get stronger -- and Ohio and the rest of the country will prosper. That’s the theory.

Ohio, we tested this theory.  Take a look at what happened in Ohio between 2000 and 2008.  It’s not like we didn’t try it. And instead of faster job growth, we had the slowest job growth in half a century.  Instead of broad-based prosperity, the typical American family saw their incomes fall by about six percent.  Outsourcing, rampant; phony financial profits all over the place.  And instead of strengthening our economy, our entire financial system almost collapsed.  We spent the last three and a half years cleaning up after that mess.  So their theory did not work out so well.  Maybe they haven’t been paying attention, but it didn’t work out so well. 

And instead of kind of stepping back and saying to themselves, well, maybe this didn’t work so well, maybe we should try something different, they decided to double down.  Instead of moderating their views even slightly, you now have Republicans in Washington and the ones running for President proposing budgets that shower the wealthiest Americans with even more tax cuts -- folks like me don’t need them, weren’t looking for them.  And when you give somebody like me a tax cut, there are only two ways of paying for it:  Either it adds to our deficit, meaning it’s not paid for, or you end up -- which is what they’ve proposed -- gutting investments in education and medical research and clean energy and job training programs like this one.

If these cuts are spread out evenly, then 10 million college students -- including some of you -- would see your financial aid cut by an average of more than $1,000 each.  Thousands of medical research grants for things like Alzheimer’s and cancer and AIDS would be eliminated.  Our investments in clean energy that are helping to break our dependence on foreign oil and are creating jobs here in Ohio would be cut by nearly a fifth.  By the time you retire, Medicare would turn into a voucher system that likely would not cover the doctors or the care that you need -- that would have to come out of your pocket.  Job training programs like this one would be forced to cut back.  Thousands of Americans would lose out on critical employment and training services.  That's the truth.

When you ask the Republicans, well, what do you say about that, they say, well, no, no, Obama is making this up because we didn't specify which cuts we'd make.  Well, the reason they didn't specify it is because they know folks wouldn't like it.  (Laughter.)  But if you've got to cut a certain amount of money  -- and they've already said they're not going to cut defense spending, and they're going with their tax cuts -- then you've got to go to all the other stuff that's left over, or else you're going to add to the deficit.  That's just math.  That's not theorizing on my part. 

They'll tell you, well, we've got to do this because the deficit is so bad.  The deficit is bad.  We've got to deal with the deficit in a serious way, and that means all of us are going to have to make tough choices.  But it's one thing to deal with the deficit in a way that is fair and asks everybody to do their fair share, and dealing with the deficit as an excuse to do what you wanted to do anyway. 

Their argument might fly if it weren't for the fact that they're also proposing to spend $4.6 trillion on lower tax rates on top of the $1 trillion they would spend on tax cuts for people making more than $250,000 a year or more.  That’s their priority. They want to give me more of a tax break.  Now, I just paid taxes, so I'm -- it's not like I love paying taxes.  (Laughter.) But I can afford it.  I don't need another tax break.

Right now, companies can’t find enough qualified workers for the jobs they need to fill.  So programs like this one are training hundreds of thousands of workers with the skills that companies are looking for.  And it’s working.  And it's going to help America grow.  I’ve seen it.  Here in Lorain County, 90 percent of people who graduate from this program have a job three months later -- 90 percent.  That’s a big deal.  (Applause.)  Why would we want to cut this program to give folks like me a tax cut that we don’t need and that the country can't afford?

What's the better way to make our economy stronger?  Give more tax breaks to every millionaire and billionaire in the country, or make investments in education and research and health care and job training -- make investments in Bronson and Duane and Andrea and David and put folks back to work?  This is just common sense.

Understand this is not a redistribution argument.  This is not about taking from rich people to give to poor people.  This is about us together making investments in our country so everybody has got a fair shot.  And that will make all of us better off.  (Applause.) 

Now, on Monday, nearly every Republican in the Senate voted to block what’s called the Buffett Rule.  Think about this.  The Buffet Rule says if you make a $1 million or more -- I'm not saying you got $1 million -- let's say you're a small business person, you saved, you worked, and after 10, 20, 30 years of working you finally saved up your little nest egg -- that’s not what I'm talking about.  I'm saying you make $1 million a year.  And we said you should at least pay the same percentage in income tax as middle class families do -- as a teacher or a bus driver. (Applause.)  And by doing that, that helps us afford being to say to the 98 percent of families who make $250,000 a year or less, your taxes won't go up. 

This was an idea that was supported by a strong majority of the American people -- including nearly half of Republicans.  The majority of millionaires supported it.  And Senate Republicans didn’t listen.  They refused to even let it come up for a vote; refused to ask the wealthiest among us to do their fair share.  Meanwhile, Republicans in the House just signaled their willingness to gut programs like this one that make a real difference in people’s lives -- thousands of middle-class families or folks who are trying to get into the middle class.

And my point is the middle class has sacrificed enough over the last few decades.  They're having enough trouble.  (Applause.)  And as I travel around the country, people aren’t just concerned about their immediate circumstances.  They're also concerned about our future.  They're thinking how do we make sure that America stays ahead?  How do we make sure that if somebody is willing to work hard, they can get ahead in this country?

And people understand government is not all the answer, and if they see taxpayer money wasted, that makes them angry.  They know the government has got to be lean and mean and do smart things.  But they also understand we can't stop investing in the things that are going to create real, lasting growth in this country.  And we certainly can't do it just as an excuse to give me another tax cut.  That’s not who we are as a country.  We’re better than that.

Everybody here, we’re here because somebody, somewhere, felt a sense of larger responsibility -- not just to themselves; to their family, first of all, but then also to their community, also to their country.  Maybe they served like Dave.  Maybe they worked in a local charity.  They understood -- like my grandparents understood, like my mother understood, like Michelle’s parents understood -- that we do what we do not just for ourselves but also for this larger project we call America.  And now it’s our turn to be responsible.  Now it’s our turn to make sure the next generation has the same opportunities that we do. 

And I know we can do it.   And the reason I know is because of the folks I had a chance to meet.  It’s because of you.  You’re working hard.  You’ve haven’t given up.  You’ve gone through some struggles, but you’re resilient.  Ohio is a great example of the core strength and decency of the American people.
You believe in our future.  You believe in this country.  (Applause.) 

And if we work together in common purpose, I guarantee you we will make this an American Century just like the 20th century was the American Century.  (Applause.)

Thank you.  God bless you.  God bless America.
 
END
2:59 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
April 17, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at a Campaign Event

Private Residence
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

6:36 P.M. EDT

MRS. OBAMA:  Well, thank you.  (Applause.)  Thanks so much.  I can’t tell what a pleasure it is to be here.  Pittsburgh, I love this city, I really do.  And that’s true -- there are no cameras here.  I mean, I always talk about the fact that this is such a surprising diamond, and the people here are always so warm.  And today, oh, gosh, this is a -- what did someone say? -- it's a Chamber of Commerce day, made to order.  (Laughter.)  But it is beautiful here, and I’m just so pleased to spend this intimate time with all of you.

And I want to start by thanking Cindy for that very kind introduction.  And I want to thank both Cindy and David, and their family, for hosting us here in this beautiful, magnificent setting.  I will be moving in.  (Laughter.)  I think I saw a room down there.  I can hang out with the dog.  (Laughter.)  It’s pretty good, pretty good.  So we should give them a round of applause.  (Applause.)

And I also want to recognize Rich Fitzgerald and Mayor Ravenstahl, who have been just magnificent since I’ve been here.  Thank you all so much for your leadership and your service and your support.  (Applause.)  Thank you guys so much. 

And I want to thank just everyone who has been involved in making this event such a success -- to all the members of the Host Committee, you all, well done.  This visit here to this city has just been an absolute success, and I want to thank you all for what you’ve done to make it possible.  Thank you so much.

And to all my friends, all our supporters -- most of all, thank you.  Thank you for what you have done to make it possible for us to serve this country, and thank you for being here. 

And I know we’re here for a reason.  We like to see one another.  I’ve got friends I’ve known forever.  It’s always good to hang out for our 30 seconds on the rope line, really catch up.  (Laughter.)  But we’re here because we know that next November we have to make a choice, and it’s a choice that’s going to impact our lives for decades to come.  And you also know that this choice won’t just affect all of us, but it’s going to affect our children and our grandchildren, and it's going to impact the world we leave for them long after we’re gone.  I say this again and again:  It is about them.  That’s why I’m here.  That’s why I do what I do.  I am just so inspired.  You see me -- when I see a couple of kids -- I can talk to you guys forever.  (Laughter.)  You’re amazing.  And your dog stories were just phenomenal.  (Laughter.)  But we’re doing it for them.

And one of the things I get to do as First Lady that is a true privilege is that I get to travel all across the country, meeting folks from different backgrounds and hearing about what’s going on in their daily lives.  And every day, I hear about how people are struggling to keep it together -- the bills they’re trying to pay; the businesses they’re trying to keep afloat; the home that they love but they’re struggling to afford.
 
But no matter what they’re going through, no matter what challenges they face, they just keep on working and sacrificing because they want something better for their kids.  That's what keeps America going.  They believe in that fundamental vision for our economy that we all share -- the idea that, as Barack says, hard work should pay off, and responsibility should be rewarded -- things we teach our children -- that everyone should get a fair shot, and do their fair share, and play by the same rules.  Right?

AUDIENCE:  Yes!

MRS. OBAMA:  It’s what we teach you all, right?  (Applause.)  Those are the values, the foundation for building an economy that’s built to last.  But more importantly, they're basic American values.  They’re the values that so many of us were raised with, including myself.
 
And by now, many of you know my story.  My father was a city worker, blue-collar city worker; worked all his life at the water filtration plant.  My family lived in a little-bitty apartment on the South Side of Chicago.  My mother still occupies that home.  And as I’ve told people, my room looks exactly the same as I -- (laughter) -- same bed sheet, same pictures on the wall.  But neither of my parents had the opportunity to attend college.  But what they did for us, what so many parents do for their kids, they saved and they sacrificed everything.  They poured everything they had into us, so that me and my brother could have something more than they could have ever imagined.  
 
And more than anything else, the reason why I’m so passionate on the campaign trail is, that’s what’s at stake.  That's what we're fighting for -- that fundamental promise that no matter who you are, or how you started out, if you work hard you can build a decent life for yourself and an even better life for your kids.  And believe me, on just about every issue, that’s the choice we face in this election.
 
Since today is tax day, let’s talk a little bit about that.  (Laughter.)  Let’s start with all those tax cuts that my husband has passed for working-class families.  And truly, he’s done that because that’s really about whether people can heat their homes.  Those differences matter -- whether they can send their kids to college; whether they can retire with security and dignity.  It’s about putting more money in the people’s pockets, which means more money in our economy, which in turn will mean more jobs.  And it’s about whether we’re making sure that everyone pays their fair share.  And that’s why my husband proposed the Buffett Rule -- to close tax loopholes for millionaires and billionaires so that they’re not paying lower tax rates than firefighters and teachers.  It just seems fair.  But that’s what’s at stake.
 
And how about everything that Barack has been doing to create jobs?  I mean, here are the facts:  Think back to when all those folks in Washington were telling Barack to let the auto industry go under -- remember that? -- and just let those millions of jobs just disappear.  That was what was on the line.  But what did Barack do?  He had the backs of American workers.  He put his faith in the American people.  And as a result of those actions, today, the auto industry is back on its feet.  Today, the auto industry is back, and more importantly, people are back to work and they’re able to put food on their tables and provide for their families.
 
And think back to when Barack first took office.  What did he inherit?  We were losing an average of 750,000 jobs every month.  Those are the facts.  But for the past 25 straight months, we’ve actually been gaining private sector jobs -- a total of more than 4 million jobs in just two years.  Those are the facts.
 
So while we still have a very long way to go, we do have more to do to rebuild our economy, today, millions of folks are collecting a paycheck again -- and that’s good news.  But that’s what’s at stake.  Those are the choices that we face.
 
And what about what this administration has done for small businesses?  I mean, these are the companies that create two-thirds of all jobs in this economy -- two-thirds of all jobs.  And I’m talking about the mom who opens up the dry cleaning store and uses that money to support her family.  We’re talking about these two characters right here -- making the best pancakes in the world -- (laughter and applause) -- running that neighborhood restaurant that’s been in the community for generations.  For these folks, the small business tax cuts that this administration has passed, it means the difference between hiring new employees or handing out pink slips -- am I right?  It’s the difference between keeping your doors open or closing up shop for good.  But that's the choice we face.

And how about the very first bill my husband signed into law -- the very first thing he did as President of the United States, he passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to make sure that women get equal pay for equal work.  (Applause.)  And what I explain to people is that he did this because he knows what women -- what it means when women aren't treated fairly in the workplace.  He watched his own grandmother –- a woman with a high school education -– worked her way up to become the vice president of a small community bank.  So you know she was smart.  And you know she was good at what she did.  You know she worked hard.  But like so many women, she hit that glass ceiling and watched men no more qualified than she was -– men she had actually trained -– get promoted up the ladder ahead of her.

So what I try to tell people is that, for Barack, these issues are not abstract.  These are not hypothetical situations for him.  He signed this bill because he knows that closing that pay gap can mean the difference between women losing $50, $100, $500 from each paycheck, or having that money in their pockets to buy gas and groceries and put clothes on the backs of their kids.  He did it because when so many women are now breadwinners for their families, women’s success in this economy is the key to families’ success in this economy.  And he did it because -- as he believes that here in America there are no second-class citizens in our workplace.  But that’s really what’s at stake.

And let’s talk just for a minute about health care.  Two years ago, we worked together to make history by finally passing health reform.  And because we passed this law -- something that no other President has been able to do -- insurance companies now have to cover basic preventative care, things like mammograms and prenatal care, at no extra cost.  And insurance companies can no longer deny our children coverage for preexisting conditions, things like asthma, diabetes.

Our kids can now stay on their parent’s insurance until they’re 26 years old.  And moms and dads with kids going to college, we know what that means.  So now, as a result, our kids don’t have to go without health care while they're figuring out their lives and looking for a job.  And that's how 2.5 million of our young people in this country today are getting their health care coverage. 

And since we passed that law, millions of senior citizens have saved an average of $600 a month [sic] on their prescription drugs.  So we have to ask ourselves, are we going to now take those savings away from our parents and grandparents?  Are we going to let insurance companies refuse to cover our children?  Or will we say that here in America, we should never make it so that someone has to choose between going bankrupt or making sure that their child can see a doctor.  But that is the choice we face. 

And just think, for a moment, about all this President has done for education.  I mean, think about the investments that he's made to raise standards and reform our public schools.  Think about how my husband has been fighting for the DREAM Act -- the DREAMT Act; this is about talented, hardworking young people who were brought to this country by no fault of their own.  These are young people who want to work in this economy.  They want to fight for this country.  These are responsible young people; they want to do everything in their power to defend this country and do what's right.  So now we believe it's time for us to give them a chance.  But that's what's at stake.

And think about how my husband took billions of dollars in taxpayer money that was going to middleman banks and lenders, and he sent it where it belongs -- into the pockets of millions of young people to help them go to college.  And believe me, these investments won’t just determine the success of our children; it will determine nothing less than the success of our economy -- whether we're able to make the discoveries and build the industries that will allow us to compete with any country, anywhere in the world.  But that’s what we're facing right now.  Those are the stakes.

And of course, we cannot forget about what it meant when my husband appointed those two brilliant Supreme Court justices, and for the first time in history -- (applause) -- our daughters and our sons watched three women take their seats on our nation’s highest court.  And we cannot forget what their decisions will mean; the impact it will have on our lives for decades to come –- on our privacy and security, on whether we can speak freely, worship openly, and yes, love whomever we choose.  But that’s what’s at stake.  Those are the choices that we’re facing.

And finally, we can’t forget about all this administration has done to keep our country safe and restore our standing in the world.  And that is real.  I have seen that firsthand.  Thanks to our brave men and women in uniform, we finally brought to justice the man behind the 9/11 attacks and so many other horrific acts of terror.  (Applause.) 

And like so many things, my husband kept his promise and brought our troops home from Iraq -- he ended that war, brought them home before the holidays.  (Applause.)  And we are all working very hard to make sure that we give our troops, our veterans and their families the benefits that they’ve earned.

And finally, because my husband ended “don’t ask, don’t tell,” our troops will never again have to lie about who they are to serve the country they love.  But those are the stakes.  Those are the choices.  And I could go on, but you all are standing up and you’re probably hungry -- (laughter) -- and you look like you’re about to fall right over, but you’re doing great.  Proud of you all.  Yes, yes, your brother.  (Laughter.)

But I don’t want anyone to make any mistake about it, whether it’s health care or the economy, whether it’s education or foreign policy -- the choice we make will determine nothing less than who we are as a country.  But the point that I make is that it will also determine who we want to be.  Who do we want to be?

Who do we want to be for them?  Will we be the country where opportunity is limited to the few at the top?  Is that who we are?  Or will we be a place where if you work hard, you can get ahead, no matter who you are or where you come from?  Who are we?  That’s fundamentally what we have to ask ourselves as we work toward this goal.  Will we tell folks who have done everything right -- our neighbors, our family members -- but they’re falling on hard times, are we going to looking them in the face and tell them, “tough luck, you’re on your own”?  I mean, who are we?

Or will we honor that fundamental belief that we’re all better off when we work together.  This country is strongest when we’re all better off.  Are we going to continue all the change that we’ve begun, the progress we’ve made?  Or are we just going to let -- just watch it all slip away?  Really, who are we?  Those are the choices we face.  Those are the stakes.

And I want you to know that your President, my husband, Barack, he understands this all too well.  He understands these issues because he’s lived them.  He was raised by a single mother that he watched struggle to pay the bills, to get her education.  And when she couldn’t handle it, who stepped in?  His grandmother, taking that bus before dawn to go to that job at the bank.  And even though she was passed over for all those promotions, she never complained.  Like so many people in our lives, right?  How many people do we know that just keep moving forward, showing up, doing her best?

So Barack knows what it means when a family struggles.  He knows how much it hurts when someone doesn’t have the chance to fulfill their potential.  Those are the experiences that have made him the man, but more importantly, the President he is today.  And as I tell people, we are blessed to have someone like that leading our country.  We absolutely are.  (Applause.)

And that’s what I hear from him when he comes home after a long day traveling, and he tells me about the people he’s met.  Because Barack has a memory like a steel trap.  He will remember your story, and that is what he carries around with him.  It’s our collection of struggles and hopes and dreams.  It becomes imprinted in his heart.  But that’s where he gets his passion.  That’s where he gets his toughness and his fight.  And that’s why, when times are hard -- and we have seen some tough times -- that’s why Barack never loses sight of the end goal, never gets distracted by the chatter and the noise.  That calm you see -- that’s real.  Because like his grandmother, he just keeps moving forward.  Just keeps showing up.  Just keeps doing what he has to do.

But I’m not going to kid you, this journey is going to be long and we are going to need you.  There will be twists and turns along the way, but he cannot do this alone.  He cannot do this without you.  He needs you every step of the way -- not just writing checks, but making those calls and registering voters, and convincing people to invest just a little bit of their time for this campaign.  That’s what we need from you.  That’s what we needed from you before, that’s what we need from you today.

And make no mistake about it, this is going to be a fight, but it is a fight worthy of our time and it is worthy of our energy.  And it is going to be long.  And there will be twists and turns along the way.  But the thing that I remind people of every day is that in this country, change can be slow.  Real change takes time.  It doesn’t happen all at once.

But if we keep showing up, if we keep fighting the good fight, then we always get there, we always do.  Never has there been a time when we’ve stepped so far back that we don’t recognize who we are.  We just keep moving forward.

Maybe not in our lifetimes, but maybe in our children’s lifetimes, maybe in our grandchildren’s lifetimes.  Like so many people who fought for us to be here, standing here, like the millions of people who made sacrifices not because they would feel the benefit in their lifetime, but because they set the foundation for us to be here.  We need to keep doing what we know is right -- fighting the good fight; fighting for the country we know we want to be.

So my last question, really to all of you is, is are you ready for this?  Are you in?

AUDIENCE:  Yes.

MRS. OBAMA:  Because we need you to be very in.  (Applause.)  Because I will tell you what, I am in.  I am so far in.  (Laughter.)  And I’m in because of our kids.  I tell you, I get to see kids all over the country and they are so bright and they’re so open, and they deserve us fighting for that decent America that allows all of them to bloom and to grow in a way that we know that they can.  That’s why I’m in this.

But we are going to need you every step of the way in a very real sense.  So we’ve got to roll up our sleeves, right?  We’ve got to get moving.  We’ve got to get a little fired up and ready to go, right?

AUDIENCE:  Right.

MRS. OBAMA:  Because if we do this, we can continue that change.  We can have an impact.  And we can continue that progress, and we can hand our children a country that they can be proud of.  So I look forward to working with you all in the months and years ahead -- because it will be years.

I want to thank you all for everything you’ve done up until this point, and I expect you to work even harder.  (Laughter.) 

Thank you all.  Love you so much.  God bless.  (Applause.)

END 
6:58 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
April 17, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at a Campaign Event

Three Rivers Club, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

5:03 P.M. EDT

        MRS. OBAMA:  Wow.  Yes!  (Applause.)  Pittsburgh!  Now let me tell you -- (applause) -- I have to say, every time we come around -- or come through it, and we -- you step out into this magnificent city, it just takes your breath away.  And today was no exception.  This is a beautiful day in this glorious city, and it is such a pleasure and an honor to be here with all of you.  Thank you so much.

        AUDIENCE MEMBER:  We love you, Michelle.

        MRS. OBAMA:  Love you guys.  Love you guys.  (Applause.)

        I want to start by thanking Betsy for that very kind and right-on-point introduction and for her outstanding work.  Thank you so much, Betsy.  (Applause.)  Yay for Betsy!  (Applause.)

        And I know that they had to leave early to make it to our next event, but I also want to recognize County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Mayor Ravenstahl, who were here.  I want to thank them for their leadership and for their service.  I also want to acknowledge the state party chair, Jim Burn, and I want to thank him for his terrific work.  Thank you, Jim.  

        And I want to give a good-old shoutout to Cliff and to Lazar for -- and to the entire Host Committee -- (applause) -- all of you for making this such a successful event.  Thank you guys so much.

        And finally, I want to thank all of you.  I want to thank you for your support.  I want to thank you for your love, for your prayers.  Thank you for being here today.

        And I know that there’s a reason that you're all here, and it's not just to see me -- while I'm happy that you're here.  We're here because we all know that next November we’re going to make a choice that will impact our lives for decades to come.  We know this.  You're here because you know that choice will not just affect all of us in this room, but it's going to affect our children, it's going to affect our grandchildren, and it's going to impact the world we leave for them long after we’re gone.  And trust me, that is why I'm here today as well, and that's why I am going to be campaigning like nobody's business all over this country for the next six and a half months.  (Applause.)

        One of the great things I've had the privilege of doing as First Lady is traveling across our magnificent country, meeting folks from all different backgrounds and hearing what’s going on in their daily lives.  And every day, I hear about how people are working to try to keep it together.  Everyone, struggling to make ends meet; how they're trying to pay the bills; about the businesses they’re trying to keep afloat; about the home they love but are struggling to afford.

        But no matter what they’re going through, no matter what the challenges they face, they keep on working and sacrificing because they desperately want something better for their kids.  That's what we all do.  We're all here for our kids.  Folks across America believe in the fundamental vision for our economy that we all share -- the idea, as your President says, that hard work should pay off, that responsibility should be rewarded -- things we teach our kids -- that everyone should get a fair shot, do their fair share, play by the same rules.

        See, those values are the foundation for an economy built to last.  And more importantly, they're basic American values, the values -- yes -- that so many of us were raised with, including myself.

        You guys know my story by now.  My father was a blue-collar city worker; worked all his life at the city water plant.  My father lived -- my family, we lived in a little-bitty apartment on the South Side of Chicago.  It's the home my mother still occupies when she goes back to Chicago.

        AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Yeah, Chicago!

        MRS. OBAMA:  My room is exactly the same as it was.  (Laughter.)  Same pillows, same pictures -- hasn't changed a thing.  And neither of my parents had the opportunity to attend college.  But let me tell you what my folks did do -- they saved everything they had, they sacrificed everything because they wanted something more for me and my brother.

        And more than anything else, truly that is what’s at stake.  That's what we're fighting for -- that fundamental promise that no matter who you are, or how you started out, if you work hard -- right, kids? -- if you work hard, you can build a decent life for yourself and, yes, an even better life for your kids.  And let me tell you, on just about every issue, that is the choice we face.

        Since today is tax day -- (laughter) -- sorry to remind you -- let’s start with those tax cuts my husband passed for working-class families.  (Applause.)  See, we have to remember that those cuts, that’s about whether people can heat their homes.  That's what's at stake.  It's about whether they can send their kids to college, whether they can retire with dignity and security.  It’s about putting more money in the people’s pockets, which means more money in our economy, which means more jobs.  And it’s about making sure that everyone pays their fair share.  (Applause.)  That’s why my husband proposed the Buffett Rule -- to close tax loopholes so that millionaires and billionaires aren’t paying lower taxes than firefighters and teachers.  (Applause.)  But that’s what’s at stake.  See, those are the choices we're facing.

        And how about everything that my husband has been doing to create jobs?  I mean, let's just think back, when all those folks in Washington were telling Barack to let the auto industry go under -- remember that? -- with more than a million jobs on the line.  They just said, let it go.  See, but Barack Obama didn't listen; he had the backs of American workers.  He put his faith in the American people.  And as a result, today, the auto industry is back on its feet, and more importantly, people are back at work providing for their families.  Think about that.

        Think about when Barack first took office:  We were losing an average -- on average 750,000 jobs every single month.  That's what he inherited.  Those are the facts.  But for the past 25 straight months, we’ve actually been gaining private sector jobs -– a total of more than 4 million jobs in just two years.  Those are the facts.  (Applause.)

        So while we know we have a long way to go to rebuild our economy, we have more work to do, millions of folks today are collecting a paycheck again.  And that is what’s at stake in this election.  That’s the choice we face.

        And what about all that this administration has done for our small businesses –- these are the companies that create two-thirds of all new jobs in this economy every year.  I’m talking about the mom who opens up a drycleaners to help provide for her kids.  That’s who we’re talking about.  The family that’s been running that neighborhood diner -- I know you’ve got some of that here, some Pam’s, yes, pancakes for generations -- those are who we’re talking about.  (Laughter.)

        See, for folks like these, the small business tax cuts this administration has passed mean the difference between those kind of businesses hiring new employees or handing out pink slips.  It’s about whether they can keep their doors open, remain vibrant in their community, or close their doors for good.  That’s the choice we face.  And we cannot forget that.

        And as Betsy said, we cannot forget the very first bill my husband signed into law -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to help women get equal pay for equal work.  (Applause.)  I mention that everywhere we go because Barack did it because he knows what it means when women aren’t treated fairly in the workplace.  For him, it’s not hypothetical.  As Betsy said, he watched his own grandmother –- a woman with a high school education -– work her way up to become a vice president at a little community bank.  And she was good at what she did.  She worked hard.  But like too many women, she hit that glass ceiling and watched men no more qualified than she was -– men she had actually trained -– be promoted up the ladder instead of her.  How many stories are there like that?

        So for Barack, this issue is not abstract.  He signed this bill because he knows that closing that pay gap can mean the difference between women losing $50, $100, $500 each paycheck, or having that money in their pockets to buy gas and groceries and to put clothes on the backs of their kids.  He did it because when so many women are breadwinners for our families, women’s success in this economy is the key to families’ success in this economy.  That’s the truth.  (Applause.)  We are only as strong as our women.  And he did it because, as he put it, he believes that here in America, there are no second-class citizens in our workplace.  That’s what’s at stake.  That’s what we’re fighting for.  (Applause.)

        And let’s go back to health care.  Two years ago, we all, together, made history by finally passing health reform -- something no other President was able to do.  (Applause.)  And because we passed this law, as Betsy said, insurance companies now have to cover basic preventative care like mammograms, prenatal care, and to do it at no extra cost.  Insurance companies can no longer deny our children coverage because they have preexisting conditions -- maybe diabetes, maybe asthma.  

        Because of this reform, kids can now stay on their parent’s insurance until they’re 26 years old.  And we know what this means -- (applause) -- when our young people graduate from college, as a result, they don’t have to go without health care right in the middle of trying to look for a job and build a career and build a family.  And today, that’s how 2.5 million of our young people in this country are getting their coverage today.  (Applause.)

        And it’s also important to remember that since that law was passed, millions of our senior citizens have saved an average of more than $600 a year on their prescription drugs.  So we have to ask ourselves, are we going to take that savings away?  Is that who we are?  Are we going to allow insurance companies to refuse coverage for our children?

        AUDIENCE:  No!

        MRS. OBAMA:  Or will we say that here in America, no one should ever have to choose between going bankrupt or watching their child suffer because they can’t afford a doctor.  But that’s the choice that we face.  

        And think, for a moment, about all that we’re doing to give our kids a good education.  Think about the investments we’ve made to raise standards and reform our public schools.  Think about how my husband has been fighting for the DREAM Act so that talented, hardworking young people who were brought here to this country through no fault of their own can have a chance to earn their citizenship.  This is about responsible young men and women -- (applause) -- they want to go to college, they want to defend our country, they want to contribute to our economy.  It is time that we gave them that chance.  It’s time.

        And I want you to think about how my husband took billions of dollars in taxpayer money that used to go to middleman banks and lenders, and he sent that money where it belongs -- to help millions of our young people go to college.  (Applause.)  And understand that these kind of investments won’t just determine our children’s success -- they’re going to determine nothing less than the success of our entire economy.

        These investments will determine whether we’re prepared to make the discoveries and to build the industries that will allow us to compete with any country, anywhere in the world.  That’s what’s at stake.

        And let’s not forget about my husband’s appointment of those two brilliant Supreme Court justices -- (applause) -- and how for the first time in history, our daughters and our sons watched three women take their seat on our nation’s highest court.  (Applause.)  And let’s not forget the impact that Court’s decisions will have on our lives for decades to come -- on our privacy and security, on whether we can speak freely, worship openly, and yes, love whomever we choose.  (Applause.)  That’s what’s at stake.  That’s the choice we face.

        And finally, let’s not forget all this administration has done to keep our country safe and restore our standing in the world.  (Applause.)  Thanks to our brave men and women in uniform, we finally brought to justice the man behind the 9/11 attacks and so many other horrific acts of terror.  That’s a fact.  My husband kept his promise -- he ended the war in Iraq and brought our troops home for the holidays.  (Applause.)  And more importantly, now that they’re home we are working hard to make sure that we give our troops, veterans, and their families the benefits they’ve earned.  (Applause.)

        And finally, because my husband ended “don’t ask, don’t tell,” our troops will never again have to lie about who they are to serve the country they love.  (Applause.)  That’s what’s at stake.

        And I could go on.  I could.  (Laughter.)  There’s a lot that’s happened in three years -- a lot of good stuff.  It’s a wonderful story that we can tell about our country’s growth.  So make no mistake about it, whether it’s health care or the economy, whether it’s education or foreign policy, the choice we make in this election will determine nothing less than who we are as a country, and more importantly, who do we want to be.  Who are we?

        Will we be a country where opportunity is limited to just the few at the top?  Who are we?  Or will we be a place where if you work hard, you can get ahead, no matter who you are or how you started out?  We have to ask ourselves, who are we?  Who do we want to be?

        Are we going to tell folks who’ve done everything right -- they've hit on hard times, may be struggling just a little bit -- are we going to tell our neighbors, “tough luck, you’re on your own”?  Who are we?  Or will we honor that fundamental American belief that we’re all in it together, and this country is strongest when we’re all better off?  (Applause.)  Who do we want to be?  Will we continue all the change we’ve begun and the progress we’ve made?  Or will we allow everything we’ve worked for so hard to just slip away?  But believe me, those are the choices -- plain and simple.  Those are the stakes.

        And believe me, Barack knows this better than anyone else.  He understands these issues because he’s lived them.  This isn’t a game.  He was raised by a single-parent mother who struggled to put herself through school and pay the bills.  He watched her struggle.  And when she needed help, who stepped up?  His grandmother stepped up, waking every morning before dawn to get on that bus to that job at the bank.  And even though she was passed over again and again for all those promotions, she never complained.  How many people in our lives do we know like that?  She never complained.  She just kept showing up, just kept doing her best.  

        So believe me, Barack knows what it means when a family struggles.  He knows what it means when someone doesn’t have a chance to fulfill their potential -- how much that hurts.  Because those are the experiences that have made him the man, and more importantly, the President he is today.  And we are blessed to have him.  (Applause.)

        And that’s what I hear in his voice when he returns home after a long day traveling, and he tells me about the people that he’s met.  That’s what I see in those quiet moments when he’s up at night, long after the girls have gone to bed, and he’s poring over the letters that he gets from so many people.  
        The letter from the woman dying of cancer whose insurance company won’t cover her care.  The letter from the father still struggling to pay his family’s bills.  The letter from too many young people with so much promise, but so few opportunities.  And I hear the passion and the determination in his voice.  He says, “Michelle, you won’t believe what folks in this country are still going through.”  He says, “It’s not right.  We’ve got to fix it.  We have so much more work to do.”

        See, because what you need to know about your President is that when it comes to the people he meets, Barack has a memory like a steel trap.  He may not remember your name, but if he’s had a few minutes with you and a decent conversation, he will never forget your story.  It becomes imprinted in his heart.  And that is what he carries with him every single day.  He’s not worried about himself.  He is working for our struggles, our hopes, our dreams.  That is where Barack gets his passion.  That’s where he gets his toughness and his fight.

        And that’s why, even in the hardest moments -- and there have been many -- and it seems like all is lost, Barack Obama never loses sight of the end goal.  Like his grandmother, he never lets himself get distracted by the chatter and the noise.  
        He just keeps moving forward.  Because, see, he can see the end goal; he has a vision for this country.  And that’s the kind of President we need -- someone with a vision.  Someone with a focus.  (Applause.)  Someone who knows where he wants this country to go.

        But let me tell you something, Barack Obama cannot do this alone.  That was never the promise.  He needs you.  He needs you to keep doing what you’re doing.  Make those calls.  Register those voters.  He needs you out there grabbing those “I’m In” cards -- sign yourself up, sign your neighbors up, shake them up.  Sign them up.  Tell them to -- they need to give just a little part of themselves to this campaign each and every week.  That’s all it takes.  Because we all know that this is not just about one extraordinary man -- while I admit, I think my husband is awesome.  (Laughter and applause.)  That’s why I’m in this.  Not just as a husband, but as a man, as a President, I think he’s amazing.  

        But it has never been about him.  It has really always been about us -- about all of us coming together for the values we believe in and for the country we want to be.

        Now, I’m not going to kid you -- because I never do -- this journey, this next phase, it is going to be long.  It is going to be hard.  And there will be so many twists and turns along the way.  But what I need you to remember is, the truth is, that’s how change always happens.  That’s how real change in this country always happens.  It’s always slow, and it never happens all at once.  

        But if we keep showing up, if we keep fighting the good fight, if we keep doing what we know in our hearts is right and fair and just, then eventually we’ll get there -- we always do.
        We have never moved backwards -- not in my lifetime.  But maybe we won’t see this change in our lifetimes; maybe we have to be content with seeing it in our children and grandchildren’s lifetimes.  In the end, we have to remember that’s what this is all about.  

        This is not about us.  In the end, we are fighting these battles not for ourselves; we are fighting them for our sons and daughters.  We are fighting them for our grandsons and our granddaughters.  Like so many people who came before us, who made sacrifices, not because it would help them today but it would help us -- we stand here because of them.  And we’re fighting for the world we want to leave for our children.

        That’s what brings me passion.  See, because I love my children and I love our children.  That is what’s at stake.  That’s what we’re facing.

        So we need you all to get moving.  We really do.  It is time for us to get to work.  Right?  (Applause.)

        AUDIENCE:  Right!

        MRS. OBAMA:  So I’ve got one last question for you:  Are you in?  

        AUDIENCE:  Yes!

        MRS. OBAMA:  No, no, are you really in?  Are you ready for this long haul?  Are you ready to roll up your sleeves?  Are you ready to make those calls?  Are you ready to shake up some neighbors who aren’t clear, who don’t understand what’s at stake?  It’s going to be up to each and every one of you to tell the story.  Barack and I can’t do it.  It’s just impossible for us to call every American.  But you can -- you can call everyone you know.  Find out who’s not going to vote, who’s a little tired, who’s not registered, what young people aren’t focused.  Find them and shake them up.  Because this is about their world.  They have to be ready to be engaged.  

        So I hope you all are fired up, because I certainly am.  I’m in this like nothing else.  I’m going to work hard to make sure that we leave our kids the kind of country we can be proud of.

        So I look forward to you all getting out there, working hard.  (Applause.)  We can do this.  

        Thank you all so much.  God bless.  (Applause.)

END 5:26 P.M EDT

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release
April 17, 2012

Remarks by the President Honoring 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart

South Lawn

4:50 P.M. EDT

        THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you so much, everybody.  Please, please have a seat.  Welcome to the White House.  And congratulations to Tony Stewart on his third Sprint Cup Championship.  You can give him a round of applause for that.  (Applause.)  It is great to have NASCAR back in Washington.  

        I want to thank Brian France and Mike Helton for their leadership.  We’ve got some members of Congress who are big racing fans who are here.  We’ve got some of my staff who are big racing fans who are here.  I also want to welcome the rest of the drivers who are with us -- the best of the best right here.  Thank you all for coming.  We really appreciate it.  (Applause.)

        Now, full disclosure:  I invited Tony here today because of what he did on the track.  But I was also hoping he would give me some tips on the media, because he's got that quiet, reserved personality -- (laughter) -- and I was figuring I'd stay out of trouble if Tony gave me some advice on that.

        It’s good to see Number 14 on the South Lawn.  Every year I try to take a lap; nobody lets me do it.  (Laughter.)  But I am still holding out hope that, at some point, I'm going to be able to get behind the wheel.  

        A few years ago, Jimmie Johnson showed up and showed me how to start one of these cars up, explained how everything worked.  It was impressive.  But what was even more impressive is he got in and got out dressed like he is now, and he did not rip his suit -- (laughter) -- which took some skill.

        And I do want to acknowledge Jimmie because, even though his five-year streak is over, I think we can all acknowledge he is one of the all-time greats.  And I know he is itching to take the title back.  So congratulations, Jimmie, on everything that you've done.  (Applause.)

        But this was Tony’s year.  And "Smoke" gave us one of the most dramatic finishes that we have ever seen.  After barely making the Chase, Tony took off, winning an amazing four races in the post-season.  And then came the final race in Miami -- a must-win.  Tony went all out.  Twice he came from back of the pack, passing 118 cars -- sometimes three wide.  Tony said it felt like he passed half the state of Florida.  But in the end, he hung on to take the checkered flag and win the championship with a tie-breaker.

        And Tony himself acknowledged he didn't see it coming; nobody saw it coming.  We’ve all heard about athletes who say they’re going to do what it takes to win it all.  But back in August, with the season winding down, Tony predicted he wouldn't be able to pull it off.  In fact, he said that if he did end up winning the championship -- this is a quote -- "I’ll declare I’m a total bumbling idiot."  (Laughter.)  Here’s your chance, Tony.  (Laughter.)

        But I think Tony’s hero, the great A.J. Foyt, put it best when he said the reason Tony won was because he drove the best race of his life.  Period.  And he did it with the rest of these drivers on his tail.

        I want to make special mention out of this outstanding group of Carl Edwards; he’s also a member of my Fitness Council.  Carl battled Tony down to the wire and came about as close as you can get without actually winning.  And congratulations on all your unbelievable success as well.  And I think everybody who saw Carl after the race -- it was a great lesson in how you handle disappointment with grace and with class, and he’s a outstanding representative for all of NASCAR.    

        And that’s typical.  Underneath the helmets, behind all the trash talking -- and I notice it seems to be picking up quite a bit lately -- these are some outstanding men.  And it’s true about the whole NASCAR organization.  One thing especially I want to thank NASCAR for is the support that you guys have provided to our men and women in uniform.  You give active duty soldiers, wounded warriors, veterans all a VIP experience at races.  And Michelle had a chance to see that firsthand at the Homestead race last year.  You look out for military families.  You look out for Gold Star families.  You make regular visits to Walter Reed to raise spirits there.  And for you guys to give that much back to folks who have given so much to us as a country and help protect us and keep us safe is remarkable.  So I want to thank -- (applause) -- I want to thank all of you for what you do on behalf of our troops.  (Applause.)

        So congratulations again to Tony and his entire team.  Thanks to everybody at NASCAR for what you do for our country.  Thank you for not tearing up my grass -- (laughter) -- and best of luck in the season to come.

        Thank you very much, everybody.  Give them a big round of applause.  (Applause.)

END 4:56 P.M. EDT

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release
April 17, 2012

Remarks by the First Lady at a Campaign Event

The Pinnacle at Symphony Place
Nashville, Tennessee

12:36 P.M. CDT

MRS. OBAMA:  Oh, my goodness.  (Applause.)  Wow.  Well, thank you all so much.  (Applause.)  Oh, my goodness.  I cannot tell you all -- oh, please, rest yourselves.  (Applause.)  Rest yourselves.  That is so kind. 

I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be here with all of you.  And this beautiful view -- we should just turn around and look outside for a little bit.  (Laughter.) 

Of course, I want to start by thanking Nicole.  Words cannot express -- (applause) -- just a powerful statement.  And as a child with a dad with MS, I can only imagine, which is why this work is so important, and there is so much at stake.  So we have to give her another round of applause.  And William!  Yay for William for having an amazing mom.  (Applause.)

I want to recognize a few other people who are here as well -- Representative Steve Cohen; Mayor Dean is here.  (Applause.)  I want to thank the both of you for your service and for taking the time to join us here today.

I want to give a wonderful hello to my dear friend, Bishop Vashti McKenzie; she's one of our national co-chairs.  (Applause.)  And she has just been amazing, just a wonderful ally on so many things that I have done.  And to all of the members of the Host Committee for organizing this magnificent event -- thank you all for your tremendous work.  Thank you so much.  (Applause.)

And of course, I want to thank the one and only Emmylou Harris for not just her wonderful performance -- (applause) -- but she has been an advocate, a fighter, a friend, and we are thrilled that she could join us again, as she has so many other times.  Thank you, Emmylou.  (Applause.)

And finally -- yeah, I got -- you, fanning, you see, I took my sweater off.  (Laughter.)  Finally, I want to thank all of you for taking the time to be here with us today. 

And I know that there’s a reason why you all took the time out to be here today.  You’re here because you know that next November, we are going to make a choice that will impact our lives for decades to come -- I cannot say that enough.  (Applause.)  And I know that you’re here because you know that choice won’t just affect all of us; as Nicole said, it's going to affect our children and our grandchildren, and it's going to impact the world we leave behind for them long after we’re gone.

And that’s why I’m here today as well.  That's why I am going to be out there on the campaign trail like nobody has ever seen.  (Laughter and applause.) 

As First Lady, I have had the privilege of traveling all across this great country, and I get to meet folks from all different backgrounds and I get to hear what’s going on in their daily lives.  And let me tell you, every day, I hear about people's challenges and struggles, what they're doing to try to keep it together -- the bills they’re trying to pay, the businesses they’re trying to keep afloat, the home they love but are struggling to afford.

But no matter what they’re going through, no matter what the challenges they face, they keep working and sacrificing because they desperately want something better for their kids.  That's what people in America do:  They believe in that fundamental vision for our economy that we all share -- the idea, as your President says, that hard work should pay off, that responsibility should be rewarded, and more importantly, that everyone should get a fair shot, and do their fair share, and play by the same rules.  (Applause.)

We all know that those values are the foundation for an economy that's built to last.  They are basic American values -- the values that all of us were raised with -- all of us, including myself.

You know my story:  My father, he had MS, was a blue-collar city worker all his life; worked for the city water plant.  And my family lived in a little-bitty apartment on the South Side of Chicago.  My mother still lives in that house.  My room still looks the same -- same sheets, same pictures.  (Laughter.)  Neither of my parents got the chance to attend college, but let me tell you what they did do, because you all know this story -- they saved for us, they sacrificed everything for us, why?  Because they wanted something more for me and my brother.  That's why.

And more than anything else, that is what’s at stake.  That's what's at stake.  The fundamental promise that no matter who you are or how you started out, that if you work hard, you can build a decent life for yourself and an even better life for your kids.

And let me tell you, on just about every single issue, that is the choice that we face. 

Since today is tax day, let’s start with -- (laughter) -- sorry to bring it up.  (Laughter.)  Let's start with all those tax cuts my husband passed for middle-class families.  (Applause.)

See, those cuts are about whether people can heat their homes, right; it's about whether people can send their kids to college, maybe retire with some dignity, a little security.  That's what that's about.  It's about putting more money in the people’s pockets, which means more money in our entire economy, which means more jobs.  That's what that's about.  (Applause.)

And those kind of cuts for working-class people are about making sure that everyone pays their fair share.  That's why my husband proposed the Buffett Rule, to close the tax loopholes so that millionaires and billionaires -- (applause) -- aren't paying lower tax rates than firefighters and teachers.  (Applause.)  But that’s what’s at stake in this election.  That’s what we’re fighting for.

And how about everything my husband has done to create jobs in this economy?  Think back to when all those folks in Washington were telling Barack to let the auto industry go under, with more than a million jobs on the line.  Remember that?  But you’ll also remember that Barack had the backs of American workers.  He put his faith in the American people, and today, as a result of that persistence, the auto industry is back on its feet.  And as a result, people are back at work, providing for their families.  (Applause.)  That’s something we can never forget.

And think back to when Barack first took office, what he came into.  We were losing in this economy an average of 750,000 jobs a month.  That’s what he walked into; that’s what he inherited.  But for the past 25 straight months, we’ve actually been gaining private sector jobs -– a total of more than 4 million jobs in two years.  That’s the math.  (Applause.)  Those are the facts.

So yes, while we have a long way to go, we have more work to do to rebuild our economy -- yes, we are not finished, but today, millions of folks are collecting a paycheck again.  That’s what’s happening.  That is what’s at stake.  That’s the choice we face.  (Applause.)

And what about all that has been done for small businesses -– the companies that create two-thirds of all new jobs each year -- small businesses?  I’m talking about the mother who opens up a drycleaner to provide for her kids.  That’s who we’re talking about.  Or the family that’s been running that neighborhood diner for generations.  See, for these folks, the small business tax cuts this administration has passed, that means the difference between hiring new employees or handing out pink slips; the difference between keeping their doors open or perhaps closing shop for good.  So that’s the choice we face.

And how about the very first bill my husband signed into law?  The very first thing he did as President -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to help women get equal pay for equal work.  That’s the first thing your President did.  (Applause.)  He did this because he knows what it means when women aren’t treated fairly in the workplace.  He watched his own grandmother -– a woman with a high school education –- work her way up to become a vice president at a little-bitty community bank.  She worked hard.  She was good at her job.  But she watched as she hit that glass ceiling, and watched men no more qualified than she was climb that corporate ladder -- men she had actually trained move ahead of her.

So believe me, for Barack, this issue is not an abstraction.  This isn’t a hypothetical for him.  He signed this bill because he knows that closing that pay gap, that can mean the difference between women losing $50, $100, $500 from every paycheck, or having that money in their pockets to buy gas and groceries and school clothes for their kids.  He did it because when so many women are now breadwinners or co-breadwinners for their families, women’s success in this economy is the key to families’ success in this economy.  Your President knows that.  (Applause.)  And he did it because, as he put it, he believes that here in America there should be no second-class citizens in our workplaces.  That’s what’s at stake.  (Applause.)
 
And let’s talk just a minute about health care.  Nicole brought it up.  Two years ago, we made history together by finally passing health reform -- something that no one had been able to do before.  And because we passed this law, insurance companies now have to cover basic preventative care -- things like mammograms, prenatal care -- at no extra cost.  And insurance companies can now no longer deny our children coverage because they have preexisting conditions -- things like asthma, diabetes, right?  Kids can now stay on their parents' insurance until they’re 26 years old.  That’s what we accomplished.  (Applause.)  So that when they graduate from college, our young people are just starting out, they don’t have to worry about whether they’ll get health care while they’re trying to look for a job or build a career, build a family.  And that’s how 2.5 million of our young people in this country are getting their coverage. 

And since we passed this law, millions of our senior citizens have saved an average of more than $600 a year on their prescription drugs.  (Applause.)

So the question has to be:  Are we going to take all those savings away from our parents and our grandparents?  Are we going to allow insurance companies to refuse to cover our children?  Or will we say that here in America, no one should ever have to choose between going bankrupt or watching their child suffer because they can’t afford a doctor?  But that is the choice we face.

And think, for a moment, about all that we’re doing to give our kids a good education.  Think about the investments this President has made to raise standards and reform our public schools.  (Applause.)  Think about how my husband has been fighting for the DREAM Act, so that talented, hardworking young people -- (applause) -- young people who were brought to this country through no fault of their own, so they can have a chance to earn their citizenship.  This is about responsible young men and women who want to go to college.  They want to defend our country.  They want to contribute to our economy.  And it is time that we gave them a chance.  It’s time.  (Applause.)

And think about how my husband took billions of dollars in taxpayer money that used to go to middleman banks and lenders and sent it where it belongs -- to help millions of young people go to college.  That’s what he did.  (Applause.) 

But we have to remember that these kind of investments won’t just determine our children’s success, they will determine nothing less than the success of our entire economy.  They will determine whether we’re prepared to make the discoveries and to build the industries that will allow us to compete with any country, anywhere in the world.  But that’s what’s at stake. 

And let’s not forget how my husband appointed those two brilliant Supreme Court justices.  (Applause.)  Let’s not forget how, for the first time in history, our daughters and our sons watched three women take their seat on our nation’s highest courts.  (Applause.)  And we cannot forget the impact the Court’s decisions will have on our lives for decades to come -- on our privacy and security, on whether we can speak freely, worship openly, and love whomever we choose.  But that’s what’s at stake.  Those are the choices that we are facing in this election.

And finally, let us not forget all this administration has done to keep our country safe and restore our standing in the world.  (Applause.)  Thanks to our brave men and women in uniform, we finally brought to justice the man behind the 9/11 attacks and so many other horrific acts of terror.  (Applause.)

My husband kept his promise -- he ended the war in Iraq.  He brought our troops home for the holidays.  (Applause.)  And we are working hard to give them and their families the benefits they’ve earned.

And finally, because my husband ended “don’t ask, don’t tell,” our troops will never again have to lie about who they are to serve the country they love.  (Applause.)  I could go on and on and on.  But that’s what’s at stake.

So make no mistake about it, whether it’s health care, our economy, whether it’s education or foreign policy, the choice we make will determine nothing less than who we are as a country, but more importantly, it will determine who we want to be.  Who do we want to be for our kids?  Will we be a country where opportunity is limited to just a few at the top?  Is that who we are?  Or will we be a place where if you work hard, you can get ahead, no matter who you are, no matter how you started out?  Who are we?  Who do we want to be?  Will we tell folks who’ve done everything right, but are still struggling a little bit, are we going to tell them, “tough luck, you’re on your own”?  Who are we?  Or will we honor that fundamental American belief that we are all in this together, and we are strongest when we’re all better off?  (Applause.)

Will we continue all the change we’ve begun?  All the progress we’ve made?  Are we going to allow everything we’ve fought for to just slip away?
But those are the choices we face.  Those are the stakes.  And believe me, Barack knows this.  He understands these issues because he’s lived them.  He was raised by a single mother who struggled to put herself through school, pay the bills.  And when she needed help, who stepped up -- his grandmother, waking up every morning before dawn to take that bus to that job at the bank.  And even though she was passed over again and again for all those promotions, she never complained.  How many people do we know like that in our lives?  Never complained; she just kept showing up, just kept doing her best.

So believe me, your President knows what it means when a family struggles.  This is not a hypothetical.  He knows what it means when someone doesn’t have a chance to fulfill their potential, how painful that is.  Because those are the experiences that have made him the man, and more importantly, the President he is today.  And we are blessed to have him.  (Applause.)  We are so blessed.  (Applause.)

And what I share with everyone is that that is what I hear in my husband’s voice when he comes home after a long day traveling the country, and he tells me about the people that he meets.  And that’s what I see in those quiet moments late at night, after the girls have gone to bed, and he’s up late at night going over the letters people have sent him.  The letter from the woman dying of cancer whose insurance company won’t cover her care.  The letter from the father struggling to pay his family’s bills.  The letters from far too many young people with so much promise, but so few opportunities. 

And I hear the passion and the determination in his voice.  And he says, "Michelle, you won’t believe what people in this country are still going through."  That’s what he tells me.  He says, "Michelle, this is not right.  This is not who we are.  We’ve got to fix this.  We have so much more work to do."

See, when it comes to the people Barack meets, he has a memory like a steel trap.  He might not remember your name, but if he’s had a few minutes and a decent conversation with you, he will never forget your story.  It becomes imprinted in his heart.  And that is what he carries with him every single day –- our collection of struggles, our hopes and our dreams.  That is where Barack Obama gets his passion.  That is where he gets his toughness and his fight.  And that’s why even in the hardest moments -- and there have been hard moments over the last few years -- when it seems like all is lost, your President never loses sight of the end goal -- never.  He never lets himself get distracted by that chatter and that noise, right?  You all can see him -- he’s calm.  See, because he just keeps moving forward, just like his grandmother -- just keeps moving forward.  (Applause.)  That is the kind of President this country deserves. 

But I have said this before, and I will say it again:  He cannot do this alone.  That was never the promise.  He needs your help, all of you here.  He needs you to get out there and make those calls.  He needs you to register those voters.  He needs you to take those “I’m In” cards, right, and sign them.  (Laughter.)  Get your friends and your neighbors and your colleagues -- sign them up.  Convince them to join in giving just a little part of themselves each week to this campaign because we all know that this not just about one extraordinary man, even though I think my husband is awesome.  (Applause.)  I’m a little biased.  (Laughter.)  But this has always been about us, all of us.  Regardless of party or race or background, it’s about all of us coming together for the values we all believe in and the country we want to be.

Now, I’m not going to kid you.  This next phase of our journey, it is going to be long, and it is going to be hard, and there will be plenty of twists and turns along the way.  But the truth is -- and you have to remember, because I have to remind myself every day -- that is how change always happens in this country.  It always does.  (Applause.)  The reality is that real change does take time, and it never happens all at once -- never does.  But if we keep showing up, which we always do, if we keep fighting the good fight, fighting for the values we believe in, then we always get there.  We always do.  We have never gone backwards, not in this country.  (Applause.)  Maybe not in our lifetimes.  It may not happen right now, but maybe in our children’s lifetimes.  Maybe in our grandchildren’s lifetimes.

Because as Nicole said, in the end, that is really what this is all about.  In the end, like so many who came before us, we are not fighting these battles for ourselves.  This is not about us.  We are fighting them for our sons and our daughters, for our grandsons and our granddaughters.  We’re fighting for the world we want to leave for them.  This is about them.  But that's what’s at stake. 

So I think, Nashville, it’s time, right?  It is time for us to get to work.  It’s time for us to get moving.  (Applause.)  It’s time for us to roll up our sleeves.

So I have one last question for you:  Are you in? 

AUDIENCE:  Yes!

MRS. OBAMA:  Wait, wait, wait, I couldn’t hear you.  Are you in?

AUDIENCE:  Yes!

MRS. OBAMA:  Are you in?

AUDIENCE:  Yes!

MRS. OBAMA:  Because I am so in.  I am so in.  I am going to be working so hard.  We have an amazing story to tell.  This President has brought us out of the dark and into the light.  (Applause.)

But we need each and every one of you as fired up as you’ve been.  You need to find 10 other people just like you, shake them up, right?  (Applause.)  Remind them what’s at stake.  Don't let them get confused.  Have them understand what we are trying to do for our children.

And if you are out there right by our sides, we need you.  We cannot do this alone.  Barack and I will do our parts.  We will be right there.

So I hope you all are fired up and ready to go, right?  (Applause.)  I look forward to seeing you all out on the campaign trail. 

Thank you all.  God bless.

END               
1:01 P.M. CDT