I think that what most surprises anybody who goes into politics from even a modestly cerebral background is the vulgarity of much of the cut and thrust of politics.

In a democracy everybody has a right to be represented, including the jerks.

It is curious that atheists have proved to be so intolerant of those who have a faith.

I don't think that capitalism should be unbridled, if by "unbridled" you mean unregulated.

So, what I say to people is that politics has got to be about principle and values above all. Of course, there are times when you have to make accommodations.

You don't have to wait until people say they accept everything you say until you are actually prepared to sit down and discuss matters with them.

We have our own system, ... and journalists in our system are not put in prison for embarrassing the government by revealing things the government might not wish to have revealed. The important thing is that our system, under which journalists can write without fear or favor, should continue.