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CNN NEWSROOM

Barack Obama Speech in Illinois. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired February 10, 2016 - 14:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[14:30:00] BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: One that's less of a business and more of a mission, one that understands the success of the American experiment rests on our willingness to engage all our citizens in this war. And that starts by acknowledging that we do have a problem. And we all know it.

What's different today is the nature and the extent of the polarization, how ideologically divided the parties are. It has brought about by some of the same long-term trends in our politics and our culture. The parties themselves have become more homogenous than ever. A great sorting has taken place that drove southern conservatives out of the Democratic Party or the moderates out of the Republican Party. So you don't have within each party as much diversity of use.

You have got a fractured media. Some folks watch FOX News. Some folks read the "Huffington Post." And very often what's profitable is the most sensational conflict and the most incendiary sound bytes. And we can choose our own facts. We don't have a common basis for what's true and what's not. I mean, if I listen to some of these conservative pundits, I wouldn't vote for me either. I sound like a scary guy.

(LAUGHTER)

You've got advocacy groups that frankly sometimes benefit from keeping their members agitated as much as possible, assured of the righteousness of their colleagues.

Unlimited dark money, money that nobody knows where it's coming from, who is paying, drowns out ordinary voices. And far too many of us surrender our voices entirely by choosing not to vote.

And this polarization is pervasive. And it seeps into our society to the point where surveys even suggest many Americans wouldn't want their kids to date someone from another political party. Now some of us don't want our kids dating, period. But --

(LAUGHTER)

-- that's a losing battle.

(LAUGHTER)

But this isn't just an abstract problem for political scientists. This has real impact on whether or not we can get things done together. It has a real impact on whether families are able to support themselves or whether the homeless are getting shelter on a cold day. It makes a difference as to the quality of the education kids are getting. This is not an abstraction. But so often, these debates, particularly in Washington, but increasingly in state legislatures, become abstractions. It's as if there are no people involved. It's just cardboard cutouts and caricatures of positions. It encourages the kind of ideological fealty that rejects any compromise as a form of weakness. And in a big, complicated democracy like ours, if we can't compromise, by definition, we can't govern ourselves.

Look, I am a progressive Democrat. I am proud of that. I make no bones about it. I believe --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: I'm going to make another point here. I believe that people should have access to health care. I believe they should have access to a good public education. I believe that workers deserve a higher minimum wage. I believe that collective bargaining is critical to the prospects of the middle class and that pensions are vital to retirement as long as they are funded responsibly --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Hold on a second.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Hold on a second.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Sit down, Democrats. Sit down.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Sit down. Just for a second.

I appreciate that, but I want to make this larger point. I believe we're judged by how we care for the poor and the vulnerable. I believe that in order to live up to our ideals, we have to continually fight discrimination in all its forms. I --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: I believe in science, and the science behind things like climate change, and that a transition to a cleaner source of energy will --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: -- will help preserve the planet for future generations. I believe in a tough, smart foreign policy that says America will never hesitate to protect our people and our allies. But that we should use every element of our power and never rush to war. Those are the things I believe.

[14:35:11] But here's the point I want to make. I believe that there are a lot of Republicans who share many of these same values, even though they may disagree with me on the means to achieve them. I think sometimes my Republican colleagues make constructive points about outdated regulations that may need to be changed, or programs that, even though well intended, didn't always work the way they were supposed to. And where I've got an opportunity to find some common ground, that doesn't make me a sellout to my own party. That applies --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Now, the same --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: We'll talk later, Duncan. You just see me.

(CHEERING)

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: This is what happens. Everybody starts cherry picking.

(LAUGHTER)

One thing I've learned is folks don't change.

(CHEERING)

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: So -- so trying to find common ground doesn't make me less of a Democrat or less of a progressive. It means I'm trying to get stuff done. And the same applies to a Republican who, heaven forbid, might agree with me on a particular issue. Or, if I said America's great decided to stand during a State of the Union. It's not a controversial proposition.

(LAUGHTER)

You are -- you are not going to get in trouble.

(LAUGHTER)

But, the fact that that's hard to do, that is a testament to how difficult our politics has become. Because folks are worried, well I'm going to yelled at by here, or this blogger is going the write that or, you know, this talk show host is going the talk about me, and some way I've got to challenge her, and calling me a RINO or a -- you know, the -- not a real progressive. So when I hear voices in either party boast of their refusal to compromise as an accomplishment in and of itself, I'm not impressed. All that does is prevent what most Americans would consider actual accomplishments, like fixing roads, educating kids, passing budgets, cleaning our environment, making our streets safe.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: It cuts both ways, guys. Suddenly, everybody is standing. Isn't this fascinating to watch?

(LAUGHTER)

OBAMA: The point is it cuts both ways. Our founders trusted us with the keys to this system of self government. Our politics is the place where we try to make this incredible machinery work, where we come together to selling our differences and solve big problems, do big things together that we could not possibly do alone. And our founders anchored all this in a visionary Constitution that separates power and demands compromise precisely to prevent one party or one wing of a party or one faction or some powerful interest from getting 100 percent of its way. So when either side makes blanket promises to their base that it can't possibly meet, tax cuts without cuts to services, everything will be fine, but we won't spend any money. War without shared sacrifice. We're going to be tough, but don't worry, it will be fine. Union bashing or corporate bashing without acknowledging that both workers and businesses make our economy run. That kind of politics --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: -- means that the supporters will be perennially disappointed. It only adds to folks' sense that the system is rigged. It's one of the reasons why we see these big electoral swings every few years. It's why people are so cynical.

[14:41:02] I don't pretend to have all the answers to this. These trends will not change overnight. If I did, I would have already done them through an executive action.

(LAUGHTER)

That was just a joke, guys. Relax.

(LAUGHTER)

A sense of humor is also helpful.

(LAUGHTER)

But I do want to offer some steps that we can take that I believe would help reform our institutions and move our system in a way that helps reflect our better selves. And these aren't particularly original, but I just want to go ahead and mention them. First, is to take or at least reduce some of the corrosive influence of money in our politics. Now --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: -- this year, just over 150 families -- 150 families have spent as much on the presidential race as the rest of America combined. Today, a couple of billionaires in one state can push their agenda, dump dark money into every state. Nobody knows where it's coming from. Mostly used on these dark ads, where everybody is kind of dark, and the worst picture possible, and there is some ominous voice talking about how, you know, they are destroying the country. And they spend this money based on some ideological preference that's disconnected to the realities of how people live. They are not that concerned about the particulars of what is happening in a union hall in Galesburg, and folks are going through, trying to fine a job. They are not particularly familiar with what is happening in a VWF post -- somebody's phone is on.

(LAUGHTER)

-- in Carbondale. They haven't heard personally from farmers outside of the quads or -- and what they are going through. Those are the voices that should be outweighing a handful of folks with a lot of money. I'm not saying that folks with a lot of money should have no voice. I'm saying they shouldn't be able to drown out everybody else's. And that's why I disagree with the Supreme Court's Citizen's United decision. I don't believe --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: I don't believe that money is speech or that political spending should have no limits or that it shouldn't be disclosed. I still support a constitutional amendment to set reasonable limits on financial influences in America's elections. But amending the Constitution is an extremely challenging and time-consumer process, as it should be. So we're going to have to come up with more immediate ways to reduce the influence of money in politics. There are a lot of good proposals out there. And we have to work to find ones that can gain some bipartisan support, because a handful of families and hidden interests shouldn't be able to bankroll elections in the greatest democracy on earth.

Second step towards a better politics is rethinking the way that we draw our congressional districts. And --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Now, let me point this out.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: I want to point this out because this is another case of customary picking here.

(LAUGHTER)

This tends to be popular in states where Democrats have been drawing the lines, among Republicans, and less popular among Republicans where they control drawing the lines. So nobody is --

(APPLAUSE)

[14:45:20] OBAMA: Let's be very clear. Nobody has got clean hands on this thing. Nobody's got clean hands on this thing. Fact is, today, technology allows parties in power to precision-draw constituencies so that opposition is packed into as few districts as possible. That's why your districts are shaped like earmuffs or spaghetti. It's also how one party can get more seats even when it gets fewer votes. And while this gerrymandering may insulate some incumbents from a serious challenge from the other party, it also means that the main thing those incumbents are worried about are challenges from the most extreme voices in their own party.

That's what is happening in Congress. You wonder why Congress doesn't work. The House of Representatives there, there may be a handful, less than 10 percent of districts that are even competitive at this point. So if you are a Republican, all you are worried about is what somebody to your right is saying about you, because you know you are not going to lose the general election. Same is true for a lot of Democrats. So our debates move away from the middle, where most Americans are, towards the far ends of the spectrum. And that polarizes us further.

Now, this is something we have the power to fix. And once the next census rolls around, and we have the most up-to-date picture of America's population, we should change the way our districts are drawn. In America, politicians should not pick their voters. Voters should pick their politicians.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: And that needs to be done across the nation, not just in a select few states.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: It should be done everywhere.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Now, the more Americans who use their voice and participate, the less captive our politics will be to narrow constituencies no matter how much undisclosed money is spent, no matter how many negative ads are run, no matter how unrepresentative a district is drawn. If everybody voted, if a far larger number of people voted, that would overcome in many ways some of these other institutional barriers. It would make our politics better.

And that's why a third step towards a better politics is making voting easier, not harder --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: -- and modernizing it for the way that we live now.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Now, this shouldn't be controversial, guys. You liked the redistricting thing but not letting people vote.

(LAUGHTER)

I should get some applause on that, too.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Look --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Listen, three years ago, I set up a bipartisan commission to improve the voting experience in America. It had the election lawyers from my campaign and from Mitt Romney's campaign. They got together outside of the context of immediate politics. And I actually want to thank this assembly for moving to adopt some of its recommendations. Thanks to the good work of my dear friend, Senator Don Harmon, and many of you, there is a new law going into effect this year that will allow Illinoisans to register and vote at the polls on Election Day. It expands --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: -- expands early voting, something that makes it a lot easier for working folks and busy parents to go vote. Think about it. If you are a single mom and you have got to take public transportation to punch a clock, work round the clock, get home, cook dinner on a Tuesday in bad weather, that's tough. Why wouldn't we want to make it so she couldn't do it on a Saturday or a Sunday? (APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: How is that --

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: How is that advancing our democracy? So this law will make a difference. I'm proud of own state for helping to lead the way. And we know this works. In 2012 and 2014, the states with the highest voter turnout all had same-day registration.

So today, I ask every state in America to join us. Reduce these barriers to voting. Make it easier for your constituents to get out and vote. And I'd encourage this assembly to take the next step.

[14:50:01] Senator Minar (ph) and Representative Gable (ph) have bills that would automatically register every eligible citizen to vote when they apply for a driver's license. That would protect the fundamental right of everybody, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, seniors, folks with disabilities, the men and women of our military. It would make sure that it was easier for them to vote and have their vote counted. And as one of your constituents, I think you should pass that legislation right away.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: I think the governor should sign it without delay.

(APPLAUSE) OBAMA: Let's make the land of Lincoln the leader in voter participation.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: That's something we should be proud to do.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Encourage other states across the country to follow our lead, making automatic voter registration the new norm across America.

Now, just during the course of this talk, it's been interesting to watch the dynamics, obviously.

(LAUGHTER)

In part, because so much of our politics now is just designed for short-term tactical gain. You know? If you think that adding more voters will hurt you on Election Day, then suddenly you are not interested in participation. If you think that the gerrymandering is helping you, instead of hurting you, then you are not for those proposals. We get trapped in these things. We know better. If we were setting up a set of rules ahead of time and you didn't know where you stood, which party you are going to be in, you didn't have all the data and the poll numbers to tell you what's going to give you an edge or not, you'd set up a system that was fair. You'd encourage everybody to be part of it. That's what we learned in our civics books. That's how it should work.

The fact that we can't do that, that brings me to my last point, which is, even as we change the way the system works, we also have a responsibility to change the way that we, elected officials, and as citizens, work together. Because this democracy only works when we get both right, when the system's fair, but also when we build a culture that is trying to make it work.

Recently, I've been thinking a lot about something a friend of mine, Duval Patrick, once said to his constituents when he was governor of Massachusetts. He said, "Insist from us and from each other a modicum of civility as the condition for serving you." That's what he told voters, "Insist on us having a modicum of civility." I think that's something that all of us, as Americans, have to insist from each other. Our children are watching what we do. They don't just learn it in school. They learn it by watching us, the way we conduct ourselves, the way we treat each other. If we lie about each other, they learn it's OK to lie. They make up facts and ignore science, then they don't -- they just think it's their opinion that matters. If they see us insulting each other like school kids, then they think, well, I guess that's how people are supposed to behave. The way we respect or don't this -- each other as citizens will determine whether or not the hard, frustrating, but absolutely necessary work of self government continues.

I have got daughters that are getting older now. And one of the most important things about being a parent, I think, is them just seeing what you do not when you're out in public, not when you are dealing with somebody important, but just how do you do -- how do you treat people generally? It makes me much more mindful. I want to live up to their expectations. In that same way, I want this democracy to live up to the people's expectations.

We can't move forward if all we do is tear each other down, and the political incentives as they are today too often rewards that kind of behavior. That's what gets attention. So it will require some courage just to act the way our parents taught us to act. It shouldn't. But in this political environment, apparently, it does. We've got to insist to do better from each other, for each other. Rather than reward those who would disenfranchise any segment of America, we have got to insist that everybody arm themselves with information and facts and that they vet. If 99 percent of us voted, it wouldn't matter how much the 1 percent spends on our elections. Rather than --

(APPLAUSE)

[14:56:13] OBAMA: Rather than reward the most extreme voices or the most divisive language, or who is best at launching schoolyard taunts, we should insist on a higher form of political discourse in our commonality, one based on empathy and respect, which does not mean you abandon principle, rather than tough. Rather than paint those who disagree with us as motivated by malice, to suggest that any of us lack patriotism, we can insist, as Lincoln did, that we are not enemies but friends. And our fellow Americans are not only entitled to a different point of view but that they love this country as much as we do. Rather than reward the 24/7 media that so often thrives on sensationalism and conflict, we have to stand up and insist reason matters, facts matter, issues are complicated. When folks just make stuff up, they can't go unchallenged. And that's true for Democrats, if you are a Democrat and you make something up. That's true for a Republican, if you see a Republican cross that line.

Rather than accept the notion that compromise is a sellout to one side, we have got to insist on the opposite, that it can be a genuine victory that means progress for all sides. And rather than preventing our kids from dating people from other parties -- well, I may have issues about dating generally --

(LAUGHTER)

-- but we can trust that we've raised our kids to do the right thing and to look at the qualities of people's character, not some label attached to them. And maybe most of all, whenever someone begins to grow cynical about our politics or believes that their action can't make a difference or it's not worth participating in, we have got to insist, even against all evidence to the contrary, that, in fact, they can make a difference. And in this job of being a citizen of the United States of America, that's a big deal. That's something we should revere and take seriously.

Now, Abraham Lincoln wasn't always the giant that we think of today. He lacked formal schooling. His businesses and his law practices often struggled. After just one term in Congress, his opposition to the Mexican-American War damaged his reputation so badly he did not run for re-election. He was denounced as a traitor, a demagogue, an enemy sympathizer. He returned to his law practice and admitted he was losing interest in politics entirely. And then something happened that shook his conscience. The Congress effectively overturned the Missouri Compromise, the flawed and frail law that prohibited slavery in the north and legalized it in the south but left the question ultimately unsettled. And stunned by this news, Lincoln said he had been roused as he had never been before over what it meant for America's future.

And so here in Springfield, the State Fair --