The truth is that America has been closely divided politically for quite some time. That was reflected in some of the challenges I had with the Republican Congress.

I get letters from [people getting insurance] right now. "You saved my child's life." "I did not have to sell my home when my wife got sick." And that is what, as a policy maker, I'm trying to achieve during the short period of time that I'm here.

There are few things in life that are harder to find and more important to keep than love. Well, love and a birth certificate.

So just to be clear, I'm not going to sign any package that somehow prevents the top rate from going up for folks at the top 2 percent.

It was not a religion that attacked us that September day. It was al-Qaeda. We will not sacrifice the liberties we cherish or hunker down behind walls of suspicion and mistrust.

I think we need missile defense. But I want to make sure it works, that it's cost effective, that the technologies are operable, that it's our best possible strategy, and that hasn't been shown.

You don't take it personally. You understand that if people are angry that somehow the government is failing, then they are going to look to the guy who represents government.