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.

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.

Mitt Romney talks a lot about all the things he's fixed. I can tell you that Massachusetts wasn't one of them. He's a fine fellow and a great salesman, but as governor he was more interested in having the job than doing it.

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

"Government" is the name we give to the things we choose to do together.

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

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