I was working with a number of African heads of state. And after their initial surprise, I think many of them just treated me as they would anybody else. They had to deal with me as a representative of the United States of America, and the United States of America was too important to be dismissed or ignored on any grounds.

I have a range, and I'd much rather do things the nice way than the hard way, but sometimes you have to use all the tools at your disposal.

Since I've had a career, my hair has been more or less professional.

I think people have confidence that I will fairly and accurately represent their point of view to the President, and that I'm not going to put a spin on it, even if I may disagree with it.

We are patriots in my family, we are believers in America, we're believers in democracy.

I don't have time to think about the false controversy.

What I learned is that policymakers have to force consideration of actions that may not have occurred to them at the time.