So laying people off is not something I do lightly, it's not something I relish.

We're not a homogeneous party, anymore than the Republicans are. But we are a party that I think has a plan to take us forward.

I got to grow up with a mother who taught me to believe in me.

I'm not looking for a battle with anybody, neither the council nor our labor partners.

Look, you're not going to get me to say that Democrats don't make mistakes. We do. I mentioned two areas - pension reform and seniority and tenure. I've done both - I've advocated for both. I've advocated for - seek for reform as well.

I don't want to describe either Governor Mitt Romney or the Republicans as stupid, but I will say this - if you look at their platform, the 2012 platform, it looks like it's from another century and maybe even two. It looks like the platform of 1812.

I'm not one of the people who have to be in public office.