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.

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

A great teacher who is full of excitement and love for her students can make all the difference in their lives.

Let's go tell everyone we meet that, when the American dream is at stake, you want Barack Obama in charge.

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

We have drained common sense out of our politics. The more we focus on tactics and games, the more good people check out and give up

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.