I deserve respect for the things I did not do.

I not going to focus on what I have done in the past what I stand for, what I articulate to the American people. The American people will judge me on what I am saying and what I have done in the last 12 years in the Congress.

I spend a great deal of time with the President. We have a very close, personal, loyal relationship. I'm not, as they say, a potted plant in these meetings.

Unfortunately, the people of Louisiana are not racists.

I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican.

Let me tell you something. As we were walking around in the store, Marilyn and I were just really impressed by all the novelties and the different types of little things that you could get for Christmas. And all the people that would help you, they were dressed up in things that said 'I believe in Santa Claus.' And the only thing that I could think is that I believe in George Bush.

No, I had no problem communicating with Latin American heads of state - though now I do wish I had paid more attention to Latin when I was in high school.