May 17 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 and of the elections, we would not be success- But I’m absolutely confident that we’re going ful. to get it done. And so I’m grateful to you, and I We started my Presidential campaign 2½ look forward to being back in Indiana some- years ago with this crazy idea that the Ameri- time soon. can people wanted change. And nobody All right, guys, appreciate you. Thank you. thought we could accomplish what seemed unimaginable at the time. And yet here we are NOTE: The President spoke at 6:20 p.m. at the and not only did we win an election, but more Westin Indianapolis. In his remarks, he re- importantly, we’re starting to deliver on the ferred to Father John I. Jenkins, president, promises that were made. University of Notre Dame. Audio was not We’re going to continue to need your help. available for verification of the content of We’re going to continue to need your support. these remarks.
Remarks at a Keep Indiana Blue Fundraiser Event in Indianapolis May 17, 2009
Hello, Indiana. It’s good to see you guys. It’s ing growth and prosperity. You believed that at good to see you. Hello, hello, hello. It is good a time of war and turmoil, we could stand to be here. And it’s a pleasure to be with your strong against our enemies, stand strong for outstanding representatives in Congress, An- our ideals, and show a new face of American dre Carson, Joe Donnelly, Brad Ellsworth, leadership around the world. That’s the Baron Hill; give it up for these outstanding change you believed in, that’s the trust you Members of Congress. We’re here to make placed in me, that’s something that I will never sure they can stay right where they belong, in forget. the United States Congress, representing your But we know that winning that election was hopes, representing your dreams, carrying just the beginning of our work. It wasn’t the your voices to Washington, DC. end, it was just the start, it was the end of the It’s good to be back in Indiana. We spent a beginning. That victory alone was not the little time in Indiana. It reminds me of why I change that we sought, it was just the opportu- like getting out of Washington so much. Peo- nity to make the change. And I don’t know ple are friendly. [Laughter] It brings back a lot about you, but I think it’s fair to say that over of memories from all those days out here on these past 4 months, we have seized this op- the campaign trail. So I want to start out to- portunity. night by saying thank you, thank you to all of you here in Indiana. I know that I’m here to- To jump-start job creation and get our night because of you, and folks like you across economy moving again, we passed the most this country who made the phone calls, and ambitious economic recovery package in our knocked on the doors, and registered voters, Nation’s history. We gave tax cuts to 95 per- and dug deep and gave whatever you could, cent of working Americans and put back peo- because you were hungry for new ideas and ple to work modernizing our health care sys- new leadership and a new kind of politics. And tem, and rebuilding our crumbling roads and that’s what we are trying to deliver right now bridges and transit systems, and investing in in Washington. renewable energy that could help boost our You believed that after an era of selfishness economy and preserve our planet. and greed, we could reclaim a sense of respon- We launched plans to stabilize our housing sibility from Main Street to Wall Street to market and unfreeze our credit markets and to Washington. You believed that instead of huge ensure the survival of our auto industry in this inequalities and bubbles that bust, we could new century. We passed a budget that will cut restore a sense of fairness and stability to our our deficit in half while making investments to economy and build a new foundation for last- spur long-term growth.
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We lifted the ban on Federal funding for dren for the 21st century challenges that they’ll stem cell research. We expanded the Children’s confront, where we reward teachers for perfor- Health Insurance Program to cover 11 million mance and give them new pathways for ad- children in need. We passed a national service vancement. And we need their help to reach bill to create hundreds of thousands of opportu- the goal that I’ve set for higher education in this nities to serve. We passed the Lilly Ledbetter country, that by the year 2020, America will Fair Pay Act, the first bill I signed into law, be- once again have the highest proportion of col- cause we believe in equal pay for equal work. lege graduates in the world. We used to have So we’re making progress. And I’m pleased that distinction; we don’t anymore. We are go- with how far we’ve come, but I’m not satisfied. ing to get it back with the help of these four I’m confident in the future, but I am not con- gentlemen right here. tent, not when there’s still workers who are out We need their help to pass a comprehensive of a job and families who can’t pay the bills, not energy plan and climate bill that will finally re- when too many Americans can’t afford health duce our dependence on foreign oil, cap carbon care and so many of our kids are being left be- pollution that threatens our health and our cli- hind, not when our Nation has failed to lead the mate, a plan that will create millions of new jobs world in developing 21st century energy. We’ve producing wind turbines and solar panels and come a long way, we can see some light on the the alternative fuels that will power the future. horizon, but we’ve got a much longer journey Because we know that the nation that leads on ahead. energy, on clean energy in the 21st century, That’s why all of you are here tonight. That’s that’s the nation that will lead economically, and why you’re digging deep again, even when America can and must be that nation. times are a little tight, why I know you’re going I need these gentlemen’s help to create a to make those calls and knock on those doors 21st century health care system that’s cutting and get to the polls again next November, be- costs for families and businesses. I’ve already cause we’ve got to make sure these four leaders met with representatives from the insurance continue their devoted service to Indiana and to and drug companies, from doctors and hospitals America. and labor unions. These groups, some of them And that’s why I’m here tonight. That’s why used to be fierce critics of health care reform I’m here, because I can’t bring the change I back in 1993, but today, they’ve pledged to do promised all by myself. I can’t rebuild our econ- their part to reduce the annual health care omy, and reform our health care system and our spending growth rate by 1.5 percent, and cou- education system, and preserve our environ- pled with comprehensive reform, that could ment, and keep our Nation safe if I’m all alone save us up to $2 trillion—$2,500 per family ev- in the Oval Office. That’s not how our democra- ery year. And working with these Congressmen, cy works. we’re going to do everything we can to achieve I need partners in Congress, people who are comprehensive health care reform by the end going to work hard every day to move this coun- of this year. Are we going to get it done, gentle- try forward. That’s why I’m supporting these men? This is the year to get it done. gentlemen. That’s why I believe in Andre Car- And we need these gentlemen to help give son and Joe Donnelly and Brad Ellsworth and working people in this country a fair shake Baron Hill. They serve their constituents and again. To make sure our workers can be paid this Nation with dedication and intelligence and fairly and treated fairly for the work that they compassion and pride. They’re determined to do. I’ve got to say a few words about where make a difference for the people they repre- we’re gathered tonight. It’s a fine establish- sent. ment. But there are workers here from India- More than ever before, we need their help; napolis hotels who are seeking to unionize, in- America needs their help. We need their help cluding some right here at the Westin. And I to build schools that meet high standards, and want to recognize these workers and offer my close achievement gaps, and prepare our chil- support for their efforts. Where are they? Raise
665 May 17 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 your hands, guys—right here. We appreciate reason why their Government shouldn’t do the you. same. In these difficult times, our country will be So look, Indiana, we’re living through some stronger if management and workers come to- extraordinary times. We didn’t ask for the gether to resolve disputes and work together challenges we face, but we’re determined to to provide quality service. And workers should answer the call to meet them, to cast aside the never be punished for demanding the right to old arguments, overcome the stubborn divi- collectively bargain. That’s not right; we won’t sions, to move forward as one people. stand for it. It won’t be easy, and there’s going to be set- And finally, we need these four leaders to backs. It’s going to take time. This is going to help us restore fiscal discipline in Washington be a hard year, and next year is not going to be so we don’t leave our children and grandchil- so easy either. But I promise you that we will dren with a mountain of debt. These are some get through this. I’ll always tell you the truth of the leaders in trying to get Washington to about the challenges we face and the steps that we’re taking, and I’ll continue to measure my take those responsibilities seriously. Already, progress by the progress the American people my administration has identified more than are seeing in their own everyday lives. 100 Government programs that we can reduce And if you stand with me, if you stand with or eliminate, save $17 billion next year alone. Andre Carson and Joe Donnelly and Brad We’re going line by line through the budget, Ellsworth and Baron Hill—[applause]—then I page by page, looking for even more cuts. know we will look back on this moment, at the I’ve personally asked the leadership in Con- time that we came together to reclaim Ameri- gress to reinstate the pay-as-you-go rule that ca’s future, to write the next great chapter in we followed during the 1990s, a rule that will the American story. help start, a rule that helped us start this new Thank you, everybody. God bless you. God century with a $236 billion surplus. You re- bless America. member that? The idea is very simple: You don’t spend what you don’t have. If you want NOTE: The President spoke at 6:36 p.m. at the to spend, you need to find someplace else to Westin Indianapolis. Audio was not available cut. That’s the rule that families across this for verification of the content of these re- country follow every single day, and there’s no marks.
Remarks Following a Meeting With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and an Exchange With Reporters May 18, 2009
President Obama. Well, listen, I first of all I have said from the outset that when it want to thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for comes to my policies towards Israel and the making this visit. I think we had a extraordi- Middle East that Israel’s security is para- narily productive series of conversations, not mount, and I repeated that to Prime Minister only between the two of us, but also at the staff Netanyahu. It is in U.S. national security inter- and agency levels. ests to assure that Israel’s security as an inde- pendent Jewish state is maintained. Obviously, this reflects the extraordinary re- One of the areas that we discussed is the lationship, the special relationship between deepening concern around the potential pur- the United States and Israel. It is a stalwart al- suit of a nuclear weapon by Iran. It’s some- ly of the United States. We have historical ties, thing the Prime Minister has been very vocal emotional ties. As the only true democracy in in his concerns about, but is a concern that is the Middle East, it is a source of admiration shared by his countrymen and women across and inspiration for the American people. the political spectrum.
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