I never thought I'd be doing poetry books. I never really studied poetry. But the first one I did was after my mother died, and I realized that people sort of think and talk about her style and fashion, but in fact, what made her the person she was was really her love of reading and ideas.

To the extent that we are all educated and informed, we will be more equipped to deal with the gut issues that tend to divide us.

It is not easy to stand up against your constituents or your friends or colleagues or your community and take a tough stand for something you believe is right. Because you always want to keep working and live to fight another battle and it might cost you your career.

Going into politics is something people have asked me about forever.

Well I've been writing books. So that, by its nature, is kind of a solitary occupation. And from time to time I have research help, but mostly I've done those completely on my own.

I enjoy writing. I enjoy that kind of process.

As much as we need a prosperous economy, we also need a prosperity of kindness and decency.