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

Many interviewers when they come to talk to me, think they're being progressive by not mentioning in their stories any longer that I'm black. I tell them, 'Don't stop now. If I shot somebody you'd mention it.'

Endeavors succeed or fail because of the people involved.

Pissing people off doesn't mean you're doing the right things, but doing the right things will almost inevitably piss people off.

Diplomacy never stops, and, with or without an election, it never stops.

The greatest gifts my parents gave to me...were their unconditional love and a set of values.

Everybody makes bad decisions. I am sure I have made my share of them over 40 years of service. Or I have made good decisions and have been overruled. The real challenge, when you are overruled, is to remember who the boss is and don't take it personally.