As I review the great history of our nation, community organizers have been at the center of so many of our great social movements.

Cynicism cripples our imagination and limits our ability to see faint possibilities amidst glaring problems.

We become distracted from productive labors by our perceived opponents; we become focused on them and not on our larger calling to advance our nation; our debate becomes more about scoring points against an adversary and less about advancing our common cause.

Before you tell me what you teach and preach, show me how you live and give.

Greatness is helping others realize they are great, beautiful and capable. Genius is seeing the wonder and possibility in those others ignore.

Any Democrat running is trying to get that Barack Obama coalition, which is an increasingly diverse voter base. It's young folks. It's minorities, as well as white women. I don't think we as a party can afford to alienate or not try to speak to the concerns, fears, insecurities, aspirations of white men. We should not give up that ground.

The more you limit your choices, thereby limiting thought, the more you can simplify your life and focus your energy elsewhere.