It's a free country. I wish it weren't.

If you are ever going to move beyond where you stand at that moment you have to conjure a picture in your head of where you want to go.

Governor is the only office I've ever run for, and I did so in the first place because I felt that there was a contribution I could make right now in governing for the long term and by leading by values. I ran for a second term to finish the work we started. I'll finish this out and return to the private sector, which I enjoy and miss in some ways.

Anybody who knows me knows that I'm no attack dog.

I view the experiences that I have had - both the tough ones and the pleasant ones - as gifts.

We're Americans. We shape our own future. Let's start by standing up for President Barack Obama.

One great thing about being a black man is that if you put on a hat, you can move around unnoticed.