The criteria for serving one's country should be competence courage and willingness to serve. When we deny people the chance to serve because of their sexual orientation we deprive them of their rights of citizenship and we deprive our armed forces the service of willing and capable Americans.

The quality that defines us as Americans is the courage to respond to being hit. The courage to root out and destroy the killers. And most importantly the courage to hold on to our values and protect our hard-won freedoms while doing it.

It is up to African leaders to show their will and political courage in order to assure that this new pan-African institution becomes an efficient instrument and not a place for endless discussions.

With courage and character American soldiers continue to put themselves on the line to defend our freedom and so many have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

We are telling the American people to have patience courage resolve and determination.

I want to find the candidates who understand the principles of American exceptionalism and have the character the courage and the confidence to actually lead the greatest nation in the world.

At the same time I would add that the American people have a lot of courage.

We're going to be OK because of the American people. They have more grit determination and courage than you can imagine.

Washington's answer to a self-inflicted financial crisis reminded Americans why they so deeply distrust the political class. The 'fiscal cliff' process was secretive and sloppy and the nation's so-called leadership lacked the political courage to address our root problems: joblessness and debt.

And I think most people in this country want to see a president that's got the courage to say we're going to cut the tax burden and reduce the regulatory climate and we're going to get Americans working.