How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph.Sentence)
Quote #1
At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears and true to our founding documents. (3.4)
Carry on, wayward nation. Notice how Obama looks to the past (to forebears and the Founders) for the answer to America's current crisis. Referencing the past puts the crisis of 2008-2009 in perspective, which makes it seem more manageable to persevere in the present. If we got through that, we can get through this.
Quote #2
Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those that prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. (8.3)
Sounds like something from a Vince Lombardi speech. Obama doesn't say that the path forward will be easy. It's really the opposite: he acknowledges that progress is challenging. And check out how he phrases this first line: he says "our journey," which gives us the feeling that change is a group effort and the average person listening isn't facing their difficulties alone. Strength in numbers, baby.
Quote #3
Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. (11.6)
During the campaign, one of Obama's stated objectives was to get Americans to take public service more seriously, to get them involved, to take the fate of the nation into their own hands, to…whoops, we slipped into some pretty sweet anaphora there. Obama believed that it would require average people—not just politicians in Washington—to fix the nation.