I've worked for four presidents and watched two others up close, and I know that there's no such thing as a routine day in the Oval Office.

I have not suggested there's a connection between Iraq and 9/11, but there's clearly an established Iraqi track record with terror.

I think freedom means freedom for everybody.

I had a reputation of being somewhat moderate, partly, I think, because I wasn't a 'bomb thrower' like some of my conservative colleagues, and partly because I got along with people all across the political spectrum.

I think there's - the assumption seems to predominate on the other side that the reason there's been problems in the world is because of U.S. activity, U.S. conduct. We're the bad guys.We're the ones that lead people to become terrorists. We're the ones that generate the kind of criticism that has given al Qaeda an excuse to come attack the United States.

I think it's fair to say you can't predict a straight line to victory. You know, there'll be good days and bad days along the way.

The United States needs to be not so much loved as it needs to be respected. Sometimes, that requires us to take actions that generate controversy. I'm not at all sure that that's what the Obama administration believes.