I love the idea of a movie hero in a thriller who is able to get ahead by just his brilliance, and not with a gun or by being an action hero.

Idealism loses to pragmatism when it comes to winning elections.

I don't think there is anything more bitter in American politics than a close election.

To have a show have lawyers fighting civil rights cases week in and week out, I think it's exactly what we need.

I don't see myself directing things I don't write because, to me, directing was just an extension of the writing process.

I wouldn't say I'm a political junkie. I follow it. I read a few articles every day.

Little Christian Bale. It was one of my favorite movies as a kid, and I re-watched it not too long ago, and my jaw just hit the floor. The whole time I was like, "Who wrote this? This is unbelievable." And then the credits came up at the end and it was Tom Stoppard, my favorite playwright. It's just an amazing piece of writing.