When I was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I would still have junior officers brief me. Usually these people knew more about the subject we were discussing than I did. I had to make sure that they felt confident enough to tell me everything they believed.

Politics is not bean bags. It's serious, tough stuff.

I don't think we handled the aftermath of the fall of Baghdad as well as we might have. But that's now history.

Always show more kindness than seems necessary, because the person receiving it needs it more than you will ever know.

As I've thought about gay marriage, I don't see any reason not to say that [couples] should be able to get married.

I consider myself a moderate Republican. I have very, very moderate social views, and I'm pretty strong on, on defense matters.

Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.