America is a great country. We are so wealthy. But our one remaining challenge is to fulfill the potential of all our people. And the only way we can do that is to try to bring everybody together to a higher place.

One of the big mistakes Republicans made with the Contract with America is that they tried to do too much too fast, and people revolted against it.

When you succeed (with legislation), that feeling is exhilaration. And it takes leadership from a president, which means you meet with members of Congress 24/7 and you talk and you listen.

And the president should be doing more about education than saying, 'Lights, camera, action.'

We are all so privileged to be citizens of America, and we all need to be engaged.

I've thought a lot about the world and how George Bush sees the world and it ain't even close.

I don't think you can be a good listener unless you're a good listener. I think it's something that you really have to do, and if you really do it, then you can do it. If you don't do it, then you can't do it.