I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy - but that could change.

The intergenerational poverty that troubles us so much today is predominantly a poverty of values.

Certainly, I know what to do, and when I am Vice President -- and I will be -- there will be contingency plans under different sets of situations and I tell you what, I'm not going to go out and hold a news conference about it. I'm going to put it in a safe and keep it there! Does that answer your question?

We lead in exporting jobs.

The two-party system has served America very well. We always have political movements one way or another but the evolution of a lasting third party probably will not happen.

We do, in former chairman Lee Atwater's words, offer the party as a big tent, and therefore that message has to be clear. How we do that within the platform, the preamble to the platform or whatnot, that remains to be seen. But that message will have to be articulated with great clarity.

It's a very valuable function and requirement that you're performing, so have a great day and keep a stiff upper lip.