Barack Obama 5 Jan 2008:
I think the American people are hungry for something different, and can be mobilised around big changes. Not incremental changes, not small changes … [but] if they are disaffected and cynical and fearful and told that it can’t be done then it doesn’t. I'm running for President because I want to tell them "Yes, we can."
Barack Obama 8 March 2011:
One of the challenges of this generation is to ... marry principle to a political process that means that you don’t get 100% of what you want. You can be honourable in politics understanding that you’re not going to get 100% of what you want. As you guys talk to your friends about getting involved civically, don’t set up a situation where you’re guaranteed to be disappointed.
Just sayin'. While you're looking out of the window all moody and all.