Click here for 227 full quotes on Principles & Values OR 17 older headlines OR background on Principles & Values. Bill Ayers is not & will not be involved with my campaign. (Oct 2008)

FactCheck: Spoke at ACORN events, as well as court case. (Oct 2008)

My associates are Warren Buffet, Paul Volcker, & Sen. Lugar. (Oct 2008)

Biden has knowledge, long career, and cares. (Oct 2008)

Ordinary people found the courage to keep the promise alive. (Aug 2008)

The Ownership Society really means “you’re on your own”. (Aug 2008)

Measure progress by observing how ordinary people are doing. (Aug 2008)

Our government must keep the promise of America. (Aug 2008)

Fulfilling America’s promise means individual participation. (Aug 2008)

To John McCain: We all put our country first. (Aug 2008)

The Republicans make a big election about small things. (Aug 2008)

The American promise is our greatest inheritance. (Aug 2008)

Ally Tony Rezko indicted for kickbacks from Gov. Blagojevich. (Aug 2008)

Just words? "I have a dream," Just words? (Aug 2008)

Don't take a chance on me; take a chance on your aspirations. (Aug 2008)

OpEd: Themes of "hope" and "change" has numerous antecedents. (Aug 2008)

We have to demand more from ourselves. (Jul 2008)

Michelle: My husband demands you move out of comfort zone. (Jul 2008)

I revere the American flag; I don’t refuse to wear flag pins. (Apr 2008)

FactCheck: Yes, refused to wear a flag pin, last year. (Apr 2008)

Actions can be seen in 20 years of my public service. (Feb 2008)

Wouldn’t be running if I didn’t think I was prepared. (Feb 2008)

FactCheck: Ranked most liberal in Senate, based on 99 votes. (Feb 2008)

The Clinton years were undeniably better than the Bush years. (Jan 2008)

Turn the page on the failed politics & policies of the past. (Jan 2008)

Made the right decisions that were not politically popular. (Jan 2008)

Gave away all Rezko “boneheaded” donations to charity. (Nov 2007)

2 years older than JFK when JFK ran for president. (Nov 2007)

On “inexperience”: he wrote policy books that media ignores. (Oct 2007)

Don’t know if life beyond earth; focus on life here on earth. (Oct 2007)

Criticizes voter cynicism from decades of disappointment. (Oct 2007)

Voted with Democratic Party 96.0% of 251 votes. (Sep 2007)

The Plan: Raise Obama’s profile, including African adventure. (Aug 2007)

Assigned RFK’s Senate desk; invokes RFK regularly. (Feb 2007)

Convention speech understood country yearns for unity. (Oct 2006)

Post-1960s politics more about moral attitude than issues. (Oct 2006)

Americans dislike partisanship--not solution like Dems think. (Oct 2006)

Enlist the American people in the process of self-government. (Jan 2006)

Be strong or be clever and make peace. (Aug 1996)

Guilt is a luxury that not everyone can afford. (Aug 1996) Campaign Themes

We’re more decent & compassionate than last 8 years. (Aug 2008)

The destiny of all Americans is inextricably linked. (Aug 2008)

OpEd: Behind "hope & change" rhetoric lays radical views. (Aug 2008)

Emphasis on cooperation and listening to both sides. (Jul 2008)

¡Sí, se puede! Yes, we can!. (Jun 2008)

Key issue is McCain following Bush on war & economy. (Jun 2008)

This union may never be perfect, but can always be perfected. (Mar 2008)

Go beyond the divisions so that the government can work. (Feb 2008)

Life experiences taught me how to bring people together. (Feb 2008)

People understand we must bring the country together. (Feb 2008)

I have shown the right judgment to lead. (Feb 2008)

Labels like “most liberal” prevent problem-solving. (Feb 2008)

Overcome politics of demonizing opponents. (Jan 2008)

End politics of division; make it about addition. (Jan 2008)

We are choosing hope over fear. (Jan 2008)

Hope is the bedrock of this nation. (Jan 2008)

If you join me I promise you we can change America. (Dec 2007)

Resounds with American theme of overcoming burden of history. (Nov 2007)

Cultivates comparison to Jack Kennedy. (Nov 2007)

Campaigns assiduously in black churches. (Nov 2007)

Viral video “I Got a Crush on Obama” by Obama Girl. (Nov 2007)

Community politics: merges Alinsky & political activism. (Oct 2007)

Apply lessons from both Goldwater and McGovern. (Oct 2007)

Invites supporters to join him on “This Improbable Quest”. (Oct 2007)

Resolve “most electable” vs.“most progressive” by being both. (Oct 2007)

Turn the page: invite GOP & independents to join in agenda. (Sep 2007)

Seen as both critical outsider and establishment insider. (Aug 2007)

People have an urgent desire for change in Washington. (Jul 2007)

A “hopemonger”, having seen the power of hope. (Jun 2007)

Washington can change if we say: Yes we can. (Mar 2007)

Replace partisan bickering with politics of hope. (Feb 2007)

I’ve been in DC long enough to know that it must change. (Feb 2007)

Portrayed as a multiplier instead of a divider. (Oct 2006)

Progressives should recognize common morality with religion. (Oct 2006)

“Audacity of Hope” to change politics to reflect common good. (Oct 2006)

Seek common ground, not a moral crusade. (Oct 2004)

Offer real hope-not blind optimism-to the American people. (Jul 2004)

I’m living my parents’ dreams and the American dream. (Jul 2004)

Greatness based on Declaration of Independence, not military. (Jul 2004)

We are one people all defending the United States of America. (Jul 2004)

Want common-sense solutions, not liberal-conservative labels. (Jul 2004) Community Organing

Headed "Project Vote!" in Chicago in 1990s. (Aug 2008)

Obama worked in same community as Saul Alinsky. (Aug 2008)

OpEd: Obama implements Alinsky's ideas of radical change. (Aug 2008)

Used community organizer skills as State Senator. (Aug 2008) Community Organizing

Organizer's method: from issue to action to power. (Apr 2008)

1980s: Registered 150,000 voters in Chicago "Project Vote". (Apr 2008) Family of Origin

Mother named "Stanley Ann" because grandfather wanted a son. (Aug 2008)

Many attribute mother's marriages to being anthropologist. (Aug 2008)

Lived with grandparents in Hawaii over mother in Indonesia. (Aug 2008)

OpEd: Racial angst from paternal abandonment, not injustice. (Aug 2008)

Nicknamed "Barry the O'Bomber" in prep school basketball. (Aug 2008)

Would be first president to have extended family abroad. (Aug 2008)

Father's family from the Luo tribe of Kenya. (Apr 2008)

Related to both Vice Pres. Cheney and Pres. Truman. (Apr 2008)

Mother described as "the original feminist" at 1960 college. (Apr 2008) Past Campaigns

1999 Congressional loss: "I got my rear end handed to me". (Aug 2008)

Borrowed "Just Words" speech from Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick. (Aug 2008)

Borrowed "Yes, we can" slogan from Cesar Chavez 1960s UFW. (Aug 2008)

Handpicked as successor by retiring State Senator. (Aug 2008)

1996: job of state senator is organizer, teacher, & advocate. (Apr 2008)

5th African-American ever elected to US Senate. (Apr 2008)

1996: Campaigned on unity, but got opponents disqualified. (Apr 2008)

After challenging Rep. Rush, got redistricted out. (Apr 2008)

June 2008: YouTube hit, "I Got a Crush on Obama". (Apr 2008)

Campaigning on change from the bottom up that King stood for. (Jan 2008)

Ran for Congress in 2000 & lost. (Nov 2007)

1990: Elected Law Review president with conservative support. (Aug 2007)

State Senate opponents disqualified on technicality. (Aug 2007)

Senate 2004 campaign theme: “Yes we can”. (Aug 2007)

2004: Won Senate seat against Alan Keyes, 70%-29%. (Aug 2007)

Lost Congressional primary in 1999 to Bobby Rush. (Feb 2007) Personal History

Favorite movie: “The Godfather”, for respect & family. (Sep 2008)

Father's car crash death may have included alcohol. (Aug 2008)

Father had wife in Africa when he met and married Ann Dunham. (Aug 2008)

Father left family for Harvard education. (Aug 2008)

Father's upbringing was Muslim, although never religious. (Aug 2008)

Visited Africa 3 times; 1986, then 1992 & 2006 with Michelle. (Aug 2008)

Father had 3 or 4 wives; Barack has at least 5 half-siblings. (Aug 2008)

Father came to US on student airlift; JFK funded 2nd airlift. (Aug 2008)

GovWatch: “Worked his way thru college” meant 2 summer jobs. (Jul 2008)

Greatest mistake: absence from mother when she died. (Apr 2008)

In his 20s, searched for his identity, absent both parents. (Apr 2008)

In no other country is my story even possible. (Mar 2008)

FactCheck: Took Rezko’s donations, but never represented him. (Jan 2008)

“Dreams From My Father” is an archetypal search. (Dec 2007)

Obama REPRESENTS something; doesn’t have to DO anything. (Dec 2007)

Won Grammy for recording “Dreams from My Father”. (Nov 2007)

Real estate deal with felon was “boneheaded” but ethical. (Oct 2007)

First major politician of the post-Baby Boom generation. (Oct 2007)

Most decisive moment: transition from high school to college. (Aug 2007)

High school jock--played football as defensive lineman. (Aug 2007)

Goal as youth: Leave the world a better place. (Aug 2007)

Planned on presidency since well before 2004 Convention. (Aug 2007)

Dreams from My Father originally about Harvard Law Review. (Aug 2007)

Favorite authors: E. L. Doctorow & Shakespeare. (Aug 2007)

To understand Obama, understand Hawaii’s cultural mix. (Aug 2007)

Father was first African exchange student at U. Hawaii. (Aug 2007)

Met Michelle Robinson at law firm; married in 1990. (Aug 2007)

A reformed smoker but occasionally burns one. (Mar 2007)

Traces ancestry to Jefferson Davis, President of Confederacy. (Feb 2007)

Personal story is basis of political desire to unite. (Feb 2007)

Greeted as hero on visit to ancestral Kenya. (Feb 2007)

Father died in car crash before Barack got to know him. (Feb 2007)

Moved to Illinois as community organizer, for $13,000 a year. (Feb 2007)

Born in Hawaii; lives on Chicago’s South Side. (Nov 2006)

Full name: Barack Hussein Obama; family calls him “Barry”. (Oct 2006)

First black president of the Harvard Law Review. (Jul 2004)

Poverty of political organizers was proof of their integrity. (Aug 1996) Racism & Race

1995: Participated in Million Man March. (Aug 2008)

Apocryphal story: race awareness began with skin-bleach ad. (Aug 2008)

Taking a black candidate for granted is measure of progress. (Jun 2008)

Rev. Wright and flag pins re distractions from real issues. (Apr 2008)

FactCheck: William Ayres never killed anyone with bombs. (Apr 2008)

Epiphany at age 21 settled his racial identity. (Apr 2008)

This candidacy is not just an exercise in affirmative action. (Mar 2008)

We’ve never really worked through complexities of race. (Mar 2008)

Working together we can move beyond some old racial wounds. (Mar 2008)

Intertwined search for father and racial identity. (Dec 2007)

A Bound Man: inner turmoil of 1960s black nationalism. (Dec 2007)

Rooted in African-American community but also more than that. (Dec 2007)

Embodies smothering racial power in individual democracy. (Dec 2007)

More influenced by his race than public perceives. (Dec 2007)

In college, rejected multiracialism for black identity. (Dec 2007)

Whites sense that Barack grants them “benefit of the doubt”. (Dec 2007)

Fans see Obama as opportunity to vote for redemption. (Dec 2007)

Bradley effect: black candidates poll above actual votes. (Oct 2007)

Veiled racism in dismissing Obama as “unqualified”. (Oct 2007)

Catching a cab, no one questions he’s “authentically black”. (Jul 2007)

Issue of race has given Senate a black eye. (Mar 2007)

Convention keynote speech highlights party’s black targeting. (Jul 2004)

America’s race and class problems are intertwined. (Aug 1996)

There is some hope of eventual reconciliation between races. (Aug 1996)

Racism wasn’t merely the cruelty involved, but arrogance too. (Aug 1996) Religion

FactCheck: Did not say “I will stand with the Muslims”. (Aug 2008)

First American president not raised in a Christian home. (Aug 2008)

Religious Left calls Obama "called" and "anointed". (Aug 2008)

Grandmother raised as strict Methodist, but saw hypocrisy. (Aug 2008)

Mother raised in Unitarian Church with secular values. (Aug 2008)

Mother declared herself an atheist during high school. (Aug 2008)

Father rejected Muslim faith and witch doctors of his youth. (Aug 2008)

Obama's Trinity Church is based on black-liberation theology. (Aug 2008)

Moved to & attended church in neighborhood he was organizing. (Aug 2008)

No madrassa, but was introduced to Islam as a child. (Aug 2008)

GovWatch: never a Muslim, but school listed him as Muslim. (Jun 2008)

I joined church to commit to Christ, not to Rev. Wright. (May 2008)

In hard times, people take refuge in traditions, God & guns. (Apr 2008)

I am a person of faith; and I reach out to people of faith. (Apr 2008)

Blacks are angry; but I dissociate myself from Rev. Wright. (Apr 2008)

Religion is foundational; not clinging nor elitist. (Apr 2008)

Rev. Jeremiah Wright helped bring me to Christianity. (Apr 2008)

Exposure to Islam taught me that Muslims can partner with us. (Apr 2008)

Kenyan grandfather converted to Christianity & then to Islam. (Apr 2008)

Barack's UCC church motto: Unabashedly Black & Christian. (Apr 2008)

Father was raised Muslm but became an atheist. (Apr 2008)

We should be guided by what works. (Apr 2008)

Registered as Muslim at Catholic & secular Indonesian school. (Apr 2008)

I am a proud Christian who believes deeply in Jesus Christ. (Jan 2008)

Despite attack email, pledges Allegiance & uses Bible. (Jan 2008)

Attends church with press, to dispel rumors that he’s Muslim. (Dec 2007)

Joined church that emphasized a “Black Value System”. (Dec 2007)

Madrassa myth perpetuated by false email & fabricated story. (Oct 2007)

Uses prayer to take stock of his moral compass. (Oct 2007)

Reach out to faith community;faith has role in public square. (Sep 2007)

Active in the Trinity faith community. (Aug 2007)

Carries Bible on campaign trail, & refers to it weekly. (Aug 2007)

Embrace Christ as an ally. (Mar 2007)

Source of his book title “Audacity of Hope” was a sermon. (Feb 2007)

Raised secular, but with working knowledge of world religion. (Oct 2006)

Baptized as an adult in the Trinity United Church of Christ. (Oct 2006)

Religious concerns ok, if translated into universal values. (Oct 2006)

There’s a call to evangelize in politics. (Apr 2004)

I’m a big believer in the separation of church and state. (Apr 2004)

Spent time in both Muslim and Catholic schools. (Aug 1996) Scandals

Neighbor Bill Ayres admits 1970s violent radicalism. (Aug 2008)

OpEd: Distances himself from 1970s radical Bill Ayres. (Aug 2008)

Tony Rezko: large contributor & active member of campaigns. (Aug 2008)

Tony Rezko helped Obama buy home in prestigious neighborhood. (Aug 2008)

Segments of Wright sermons were "caricatures of the church". (Aug 2008)

Photographed without hand over heart during national anthem. (Aug 2008)

Mar. 2008: Campaign uproar over Rev. Wright's anti-US sermon. (Apr 2008) Voting Record

Biggest mistake was intruding in Terri Schiavo case. (Apr 2007)

Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)

Voted NO on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)

Member of Congressional Black Caucus. (Jan 2001)

Reject Bush's Florida electors due to election fraud. (Jan 2001)

Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation. (Dec 2006)