PRESIDENT AT NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST

"When I talk about making sure insurance companies aren't discriminating against those would are already sick, or making sure that unscrupulous lenders are not taking advantage of the most vulnerable among us. I do so because I genuinely believe that it will make the economy stronger for everybody, but I also do it because I know that far too many neighbors in our country have been hurt and treated unfairly over the last few years. And I believe in God's command to love thy neighbor as thyself."

"When I talk about shared responsibility, it's because I genuinely believe that in a time when many folks are struggling and at a time when we have enormous deficits, it's hard for me to ask seniors on fixed income or young people with student loans or middle class families who can barely pay the bills to shoulder the burden alone. I think to myself, if I'm willing to give something up as somebody who's been extraordinarily blessed and give up some of the tax breaks that I enjoy, I actually think that's going to make economic sense. But for me as a Christian, it also coincides with Jesus' teaching that for 'unto whom much is given, much shall be required.' It mirrors the Islamic belief that those who have been blessed have an obligation to use those blessings to help others or the Jewish doctrine of moderation and consideration for others."

"When I talk about giving every American a fair shot ... it makes economic sense. But part of that belief comes from my faith and the idea that I am my brother's keeper and I am my sister's keeper. As a country, we rise and fall together."

"It is our hope that people of good will can pursue their values and common ground and the common good as best they know how, with respect for each other. And I have to say that sometimes we talk about respect, but we don't act with respect towards each other during the course of these debates"