I have one of the strongest records in fighting for senior citizens. I led the effort to prevent cuts to Social Security. But I think for some seniors, they remember the "evil empire" of the Soviet Union. They conflated the term "democratic socialism" with communism.

I have supported candidates whose views are very different than mine on the need the break up Wall Street banks, on the war in Iraq, on trade issues. Of course I have supported those people. My hope is that we're going to see - and I believe it is the case - we're going to see more and more strong progressives running for office. That's my hope. That's my desire. But that is up to - that decision is going to be made by people in 50 states and 435 congressional districts.

I think our trade policies, for many, many years, have been a disaster. They have benefited corporate America at the expense of working people.

I believe in public funding of elections, absolutely. But this system iscurrently very antiquated and no longer applies to modern day politics.

What I saw in Baltimore was distressing and it tells me we need stronger policies in this country.

It's time for the Supreme Court to catch up to the American people and legalize gay marriage.

Black people are dying in this country because we have a criminal justice system which is out of control, a system in which over 50% of young African American kids are unemployed. It is estimated that a black baby born today has a one in four chance of ending up in the criminal justice system.