My strong preference has always been to legislate when I can get legislation done.

I think that there's a power in that [information through tweets and sound bites ]. There's also a danger, what generates a headline or stirs up a controversy and gets attention isn't the same as the process required to actually solve the problem.

This is a matter of Congress authorizes spending. They order me to spend.

[Afghanistan and Iraq] are still countries that are fragile enough that we're gonna have to partner with them in some way.

The trick is figuring out how do we structure government systems that pool resources, and hence facilitate some [wealth] redistribution, because I actually believe in redistribution, at least at a certain level, to make sure that everybody's got a shot.

Cool, logical, big-eared and level-headed, the center of Star Trek's optimistic, inclusive vision of humanity's future. I loved Spock.

We will outstretch the hand if you unclench your fist.