The Golden Report

Telling quotes, via Mike Allen’s Playbook, from President Obama’s night of political fundraising in New York City:

“[I]n addition to preventing a financial meltdown and preventing a second Great Depression, we were able to pass a historic health care bill that’s going to make sure that 30 million people have coverage. We were able to pass a Wall Street reform package that, although some folks in New York are still grousing about it [laughter], is going to ensure that we do not have the same kinds of crisis … We were able to make sure that we ended the war in Iraq, as promised. And by the end of this year we’re going to have all of our troops out, which is going to be an extraordinary homecoming for families all across America. …

“[A]re we going to have the best schools in this country, are we going to have the best infrastructure, are we going to do what it takes, so these guys end up being part of an America where everybody can still make it if they try[?] … Our kids are going to be fine. And I always tell Malia and Sasha, ‘Look, you guys, I don’t worry about you’ — I mean, I worry the way parents worry. But they’re on a path that is going to be successful, even if the country as a whole is not successful. But that’s not our vision of America. I don’t want an America where my kids are living behind walls and gates, and can’t feel a part of a country that is giving everybody a shot. And that’s what we’re fighting for. That’s what 2012 is going to be all about.”

“We still have a lot of headwinds ahead of us. Europe is probably the biggest one. And I’m spending an awful lot of time making transatlantic calls — because when you look at what’s happening in Europe, both to the banks and for countries like Italy that need to refinance their debt, that can have a profound impact on what happens here. But I am cautiously hopeful that they end up recognizing that they need to do the right thing, and we’re providing them as much assistance as we can to make sure that the situation is stabilized, because it will have an impact all around the world.”

“I try not to pat myself too much on the back, but this administration has done more in terms of the security of the state of Israel than any previous administration.”