Dec. 2 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2010 to be a partner for all of you in being responsive how we move forward with the policy objectives to your constituencies. that we all share. Now, I will confess that there are going to be And if we end up disagreeing on something, I times where we do believe that having basic na- promise you we will not be disagreeable about tional standards are going to be important, that it. And we will keep on working until, hopefully, there are certain things that we as a country, we we can figure out a way to solve problems. as a people, aspire to, and that we need to main- In the end, I think that’s what this most re- tain some consistency across the States. But for cent election was all about. People are frustrat- the most part, if there are going to be—if ed, understandably, with an economy that has stalled and is not doing as well as it should for there’s going to be experimentation, if States American families. And that was true not just are going to continue to be laboratories for de- during this crisis, but it was true for the decade mocracy, that’s something that we welcome and before this crisis. And I think what the Ameri- embrace. can people are expecting from all of us is that— And so if you have ideas around any of the is- not that we suddenly put aside politics, not that sues that my Cabinet members who are here we put aside principles, because everybody are responsible for, I guarantee you will get a here is driven oftentimes with some very serious response from them in terms of how we strongly held principles about what America can work together. should be and how we can move forward, but So to sum up my initial remarks, I heard—I that at a certain point we also concern ourselves overheard Joe say that he will always take your with governing and delivering for them. call. I promise you, he will be calling you. At a And I know of no group of people who more certain point you may say, “Golly, it’s Biden consistently steer in that direction than Gover- again.” [Laughter] But I think the same is going nors, because ultimately the buck stops with to be true for Valerie Jarrett, who heads up our you in your State, just as the buck stops with me intergovernmental affairs. The same is going to at the national level. be true for our various Cabinet officials. They And so I look forward to working with you, are going to want to hear from you. and I look forward to seeing you again fairly And the one thing that I would urge is, don’t soon. We usually host a Governors’ bash early in the year, and that way I’ll have a chance to meet wait until you’re really mad about something all your spouses and you guys will get dressed before you call us. We’d prefer not to read up and look really good. [Laughter] about it in the press. [Laughter] We’d rather All right? Okay. With that, we’re going to you call us ahead of time and say, you know clear the press out of the room so that all these what, we think this isn’t working. We think this folks can be—tell me what they really think is a better way of doing things. And we’ll work about me. [Laughter] with you. And if we don’t agree with you, we will spell out in great detail why we don’t agree NOTE: The President spoke at 1:04 p.m. in the with you. And it’s not going to be based on ide- Blair House. The transcript released by the Of- ology, it’s not going to be based on partisanship, fice of the Press Secretary also included the re- it will be based upon our best judgment about marks of Vice President Joe Biden. Remarks on Lighting the Hanukkah Menorah December 2, 2010 The President. Oh, this is a good-looking The President. Welcome to the White House. group right here. [Laughter] Good evening, ev- I want to thank all of you for joining us in cele- erybody. brating the second night of Hanukkah. Happy Audience members. Good evening. Hanukkah, everybody. 1868 Administration of Barack Obama, 2010 / Dec. 2 We are joined tonight by Ambassador Mi- Now, tonight we gather to celebrate a story chael Oren of Israel. Where’s Michael? He’s as simple as it is timeless. It’s a story of ancient way back there. And so I want to begin by offer- Israel, suffering under the yoke of empire, ing our deepest condolences to the families and where Jews were forbidden to practice their re- loved ones of all of those who’ve died as a result ligion openly and the Holy Temple, including of the terrible forest fire in northern Israel. the Holy of Holies, had been desecrated. As rescuers and firefighters continue in their It was then that a small band of believers, led work, the United States is acting to help our Is- by Judah Maccabee, rose up to take back their raeli friends respond to the disaster. A short city and free their people. And when the Mac- while ago, our Ambassador in Tel Aviv, Jim Cun- cabees entered the temple, the oil that should ningham, issued a disaster declaration which has have lasted for a single night ended up burning launched an effort across the U.S. Government for eight. to identify the firefighting assistance we have That miracle gave hope to all those who had available and provide it to Israel as quickly as been struggling in despair. And in the 2,000 possible. Of course, that’s what friends do for years since, in every corner of the world, the ti- each other. ny candles of Hanukkah have reminded us of And, Mr. Ambassador, our thoughts and the importance of faith and perseverance. They prayers are with everybody in Israel who is af- have illuminated a path for us when the way for- fected by this tragedy and the family and loved ward was shrouded in darkness. ones of those in harm’s way. And as we prepare to light another candle on Tonight it’s an honor to welcome so many the menorah, let us remember the sacrifices friends and leaders from the Jewish community that others have made so that we may all be and beyond. And I want to start by recognizing free. Let us pray for the members of our mili- my Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, tary who guard that freedom every day and who George Mitchell, who is here. Please give him a may be spending this holiday far away from round of applause, and all the other outstanding home. members of the diplomatic corps who are here. Let us also think of those for whom these One third of the Supreme Court is here. One candles represent not just a triumph of the past, of my favorites, Justice Ginsburg, is hiding out but also hope for the future: the men, women, here in the front. [Laughter] She really is here. and children of all faiths who still suffer under It’s hard to see. [Laughter] Justice Breyer is tyranny and oppression. here. And—where’s Justice Breyer? There he is That’s why families everywhere are taught to right here. And our newest addition and former place the menorah in public view, so the entire colleague of mine when we were teaching to- world can see its light. Because, as the Talmud gether, Elena Kagan is in the house. teaches us, “So long as a person still has life, I want to also acknowledge somebody who I they should never abandon faith.” rely on day in, day out, who is not only a great Now, the menorah we’re using tonight, and Vice President, but is also—[laughter]—one of the family who is going to help us light it, both my dearest friends, Joe Biden is in the house. stand as powerful symbols of that faith. And to all the members of the administration This beautiful menorah has been generously and Members of Congress and all the State and loaned to us by Congregation Beth Israel in local leaders who are with us today, welcome. I New Orleans. Five years ago, when Hurricane want to thank Joshua Redman for gracing us Katrina hit, the synagogue was covered in 8 feet with his talent and helping us with the music. of water. Later, as the cleanup crew dug And finally, I want to thank the rabbis and lay through the rubble, they discovered this meno- leaders who have traveled from all over the rah caked in dirt and mold. And today it stands country to be here. Yes, you can give yourselves as a reminder of the tragedy and a source of in- a round of applause. spiration for the future. 1869 Dec. 2 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2010 And that feeling is shared by Susan Retik. It’s The President. Yes, she is adorable. [Laugh- a feeling they know all too well. After her hus- ter] As Michelle said as we were getting on band David was killed on September 11th, Su- stage, she will be stealing the show. [Laughter] san could have easily lost herself in feelings of So we’re going to turn it over to Susan and her hopelessness and grief.