"They will not collect a ransom in exchange for not crashing the American economy. What I will not do is to have that negotiation with a gun at the head of the American people." - President Barack Obama on congressional Republicans' attempts to tie deficit reduction talks to a decision whether to increase the government's borrowing authority.

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"This is a scourge on society. At what point do you say, `No more innocent loss of life.'" - N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, calling for an overhaul of gun control in New York a month after the Newtown, Conn., shooting that took the lives of 20 first graders and six educators.

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"When I was growing up, both my parents and grandparents instilled a commitment to service in me. They taught me that helping our neighbors and serving our community were essential parts of being a good citizen and a good person." - Chelsea Clinton in a statement saying she will help promote Obama's inaugural kick-off event to get Americans across the country engaged in serving their communities.