Quotes from Obama's first 100 days--BY The Associated Press

Quotes from President Barack Obama during his first 100 days in office.

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"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met." — Inaugural address on Jan. 20.

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"I can say without exception or equivocation that the United States will not torture." — Remarks on Jan. 22 to employees at the State Department, the same day he signed orders to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

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"I will be held accountable. You know, I've got four years. ... If I don't have this done in three years, then there's going to be a one-term proposition." — Interview aired Feb. 2 on NBC's "Today" show.

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"I'm here on television saying I screwed up." — Interview with NBC's "Nightly News with Brian Williams," on Feb. 3, after abruptly abandoning his nomination fight for Tom Daschle a little more than 24 hours after he had said he was "absolutely" committed to his health nominee. Obama did similar interviews that day with all five television networks.

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"We have begun the essential work of keeping the American dream alive in our time." — Before he signed into law a $787 billion stimulus package on Feb. 17.

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"The impact of this recession is real and it is everywhere. But while our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken, though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this: We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before." — His first address to a joint session of Congress on Feb 24.

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"It's hard to move around out there sometimes, so I've got to bring the world to me." — At a March 4 dinner with congressional leaders, Cabinet members and White House aides.

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"Our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values." — Remarks on March 9 as he signed documents changing science policy and removing what some researchers have said were shackles on their work.

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"It was like the Special Olympics or something." — Comment during an appearance March 19 on NBC's "Tonight" show, telling host Jay Leno he's been practicing at the White House bowling alley but wasn't happy with his score of 129. A spokesman quickly said Obama's remark was not meant to disparage the Special Olympics, only to poke some fun at his bowling skills.

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"It took us a couple of days because I like to know what I'm talking about before I speak." — Comment after he was asked at a news conference March 24 why it took him so long to express outrage over executive bonuses at the big insurer American International Group Inc.

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"I remind everybody, the United States of America did not choose to fight a war in Afghanistan. Nearly 3,000 of our people were killed on September 11th, 2001, for doing nothing more than going about their daily lives." — Remarks on March 27 announcing plans to send 4,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, part of a broad escalation troops.

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"The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam." — Address to the Turkish parliament on April 6.

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"It is time for us to transition to the Iraqis. They need to take responsibility for their country." — Comment to about 600 U.S. soldiers during a visit to Baghdad on April 7.

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"I'm here to launch a new chapter of engagement that will be sustained throughout my administration." — Statement to the heads of every democratic government across the Western Hemisphere, at the opening of the Summit of the Americas on April 17.

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"I try to figure out what's right in terms of American interests, and on this one I think I'm right." — At an April 19 news conference, on critics of his friendly exchange with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at that summit.