Barack Obama, 2006 -

"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit [to $8.9T] is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. government can't pay its own bills. ... I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America's debt limit."

Barack Obama, 2013 -

"Chuck, what I'm saying to you is that there is no simpler solution, no ready, credible solution, other than Congress either give me the authority to raise the debt ceiling [to $16.4T], or exercise the responsibility that they have kept for themselves and raise the debt ceiling. Because this is about paying your bills."

Via Small Dead Animals