I have been tested. I have beaten breast cancer. I have buried a child. I started as a secretary. I fought my way to the top of corporate America while being called every B word in the book. I fought my way into this election and on to this debate stage while all the political insiders and the pundits told, "it couldn't be done."

Margaret Thatcher - a woman I greatly admire - once said that she was not content to manage the decline of a great nation. Neither am I. I am prepared to lead the resurgence of a great nation.

The truth is in California you can't build a new manufacturing facility, and businesses are leaving in droves because of bad government policy.

We must continue to show tolerance for those whose opinions and sincerely held beliefs differ from our own. We must lead by example, finding a way to respect one another and to celebrate a culture that protects religious freedom while promoting equality under the law.

I think we need a real plan, which is why I have offered a much more specific approach to securing the border, fixing the legal immigration system and addressing illegal immigration.

I didn't say I would cut off all communication with [Vladimir] Putin. What I said was as president of the United States, now is not the time to talk with him.

Obviously the Senate is a federal office, but to get California's economy moving again we need to do some things in the federal arena.