Sometimes it may seem as if progress is stalled but what history of post-war Germany shows is that strength and determination and focus and adherence to the values that we care about will result in a better future for our children and our grandchildren.

Instead of giving in to cynicism and division, let's move forward with the confidence and optimism and unity that define us as a people.

I think if you look at almost every year under every president over the last, I don't know, 20, 30 years, you're going to be hard-pressed to find a year in which the majority of Americans thought we were on the right track.

Basically, I am a night owl. My wife is an early bird, so she goes to bed around 9:30, and my kids are in bed about 8. So, if I am home, I will usually start writing about 9:30 and go till about 12:30 or 1:30, depending on what my energy level is.

I'm suspicious of too much certainty in the pursuit of understanding just because I think people are limited in their understanding.

Many of us were kind of irritated with Obama for larding it with tax cut, which we didn't think was going to be stimulative.

I’m asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...I’m asking you to believe in yours.