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

I very much believe in values-based leadership, and that the values that I believe in and try to govern by are transcendent values. They have nothing to do with race or even with political parties. Secondly, I think nothing substitutes for the power of the grassroots by showing them the courtesy of going to them where they are and inviting them to take part in the political process.

Be present - and see what a difference it makes in your lives and in the world.

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

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

Don't tell me words don't matter.

I've learned over the years that identity has a whole lot less to do with location or other people's expectations than with your own sense of self and self-confidence.