Obama focused on economic stimulus

Obviously, I am honored and gratified to be part of this journey to change how race is viewed and dealt with in this country. But I think it's important to understand [that] it's not just me, or African Americans, that want to see better race relations. I think all Americans do. . . .

I think that more than anything is going to improve race relations [is] a sense of common progress, where everybody feels like they have a chance at the American Dream. If we can restore that sense, then I'm confident that the generation coming up behind me is going to be even more willing to embrace the diversity that makes America special.

Do you expect to keep a long-term presence here [in Chicago]? You joked a couple weeks ago that it is a bad time to sell a house.

My Kennebunkport is on the South Side of Chicago. We own one piece of property and that is our home in Chicago. It is 10 minutes away from where Michelle grew up and where her mother still has a house. Our friends are here. Our family is here. And so we are going to try to come back here as often as possible. My expectation would be that, depending on what my schedule looks like, you know, we're going to try to get back here at least once every six weeks or couple months.