I have a lot of respect for people who are great at ad-libbing, and for writers and directors who are able to create a scene in which that works.

I think that if I couldn't write, I would be unemployable.

Decisions are made by those who show up.

I had never thought of doing television. But my agent wanted me to meet John Wells, who had had a lot of success producing ER and China Beach. The night before the meeting, some friends were over for dinner and Akiva Goldsman and I slipped downstairs to the basement so we could sneak a cigarette. He said, "You know what would make a good television series? That." And he was pointing at The American President poster. He said, "There doesn't have to be a romance, just focus on a senior staffer."

Make no mistake about it, you are dumb. You’re a group of incredibly well-educated dumb people. I was there. We all were there. You’re barely functional. There are some screw-ups headed your way. I wish I could tell you that there was a trick to avoiding the screw-ups, but the screw-ups, they’re a-coming for ya. It’s a combination of life being unpredictable, and you being super dumb.

I want to convey that I'm crazy about the Kardashians - but I'm not sure which is which.

Government should be a place where people can come together, and no one gets left behind. No one…gets left behind. An instrument of good.