That's what we ought to be focused on, but unfortunately the decisions I made obfuscated that effort. We're going to continue make sure we're focused on that and working with our friends to make sure something like that doesn't happen again. Denis McDonough More Quotes by Denis McDonough More Quotes From Denis McDonough President Obama understands that, as a nation founded by those who fled religious persecution, freedom of religion is central to who we are as Americans. Our rights are not given to us by government, they are endowed by our Creator. Denis McDonough government religious rights Being religious is quintessentially American. Denis McDonough religious I grew up in Stillwater, Minnesota in a proud Catholic family. Denis McDonough minnesota catholic proud We're happy to see, obviously, the resounding support for Judge [Merric] Garland, an unbelievable - unbelievably strong, unquestioned excellence as a judge for the last 18 years on the second highest court in the land and somebody who's dedicated his life to the law. Denis McDonough land strong years Preventing radicalization that leads to violence here in America is part of our larger strategy to decisively defeat al Qaeda. Denis McDonough als violence america Sunday afternoons at a parish center - or a community center - is familiar territory for me. Denis McDonough afternoon sunday community I’m indebted to the teachers who shaped me - from the Sisters of St. Joseph at St. Croix Catholic elementary to the monks of St. John’s in Minnesota to my professors at Georgetown. Denis McDonough minnesota catholic teacher We've seen some good progress, some good forward momentum. We have about Republican senators who have now indicated that they'll meet with Judge Merric Garland. Denis McDonough momentum progress judging The bottom line is this. When it comes to preventing violent extremism and terrorism in the United States, Muslim Americans are not part of the problem, you're part of the solution. Denis McDonough united-states lines problem Before we announced Judge Merric Garland, people were saying they would not even deign to meet with him. And we're also aware that early in the week, when the Congress comes back, in fact, Senator Collins, the Republican from Maine, has agreed to meet with Judge Garland up in the Senate. Denis McDonough judging facts people Non-binding agreements -- like the deal we are negotiating with Iran...are an essential element of international diplomacy and do not require congressional approval. Denis McDonough top-news That rests on me. That’s my job. Denis McDonough latest-headlines We regret we didn't send someone more senior than our ambassador, that rests on me. That's my job. Denis McDonough top-news Part of what makes America great is that we stand by the countries that share our values around the world. That's why throughout its history, the State of Israel has had no greater friend than the United States of America. Denis McDonough friend great history world As a husband, father and public servant, I'm thankful for the counsel and wisdom of my older brothers - Bill, who was a priest, and Kevin, who is a priest. Denis McDonough husband wisdom thankful father I'm a keep-score guy; I always have been. Denis McDonough been always guy Palestinian children deserve the same right to be free in their own land as Israeli children in their land. A two-state solution will finally bring Israelis the security and normalcy to which they are entitled, and Palestinians the sovereignty and dignity they deserve. Denis McDonough solution free dignity children The borders of Israel and an independent Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps. Each state needs secure and recognized borders, and there must be robust provisions that safeguard Israel's security. Denis McDonough palestine security independent lines Nothing would do more to improve Israel's security or its relations with its neighbors than to bring about a sovereign and contiguous Palestinian state alongside a secure, democratic, Jewish Israel. Denis McDonough more nothing security israel I traveled with then-Senator Obama to Israel in 2008. I will never forget our time in the holy city of Jerusalem and following behind him as he approached the Western Wall - and even in the dark hours of that very early morning, it was a place bustling with energy afforded by one's faith. Denis McDonough city faith time morning
