Obama: I Never Saw John Treat Anyone Differently Because of Their Race or Religion, or Gender

OBAMA: “It has been mentioned today, and we have seen footage this week of John pushing back against supporters who challenged my patriotism during the 2008 campaign. I was grateful, but I was not surprised. As Joe Lieberman said, it was John’s instinct. I never saw John treat anyone differently because of their race or religion, or gender. And I am certain that in those moments that have been referred to during the campaign, he saw himself as defending America’s character, not just mine. He considered it the imperative of every citizen who loves this country to treat all people fairly. And finally, while John and I disagreed on all kinds of foreign-policy issues, we stood together on America’s role as the one indispensable nation, believing that with great power and great blessings comes great responsibility. That burden is worn most heavily by our men and women in uniform. Service members like Doug, Jimmy, and Jack, who follow their father’s footsteps, as well as the families who served alongside our troops. But John understood that our security and our influence was one, not just by our military might, not just by our wealth, not just by our ability to bend others to our will, but from our capacity to inspire others. With our adherence to a set of universal values. Like rule of law and human rights, and insistence on the God-given dignity of every human being.”