I grew up in the '50s and '60s when Jack Kennedy was president. We would watch him on television. And our teachers always talked about the good things public servants could do. I thought maybe that's something I should do. So when I got out of law school, my wife, Jane, and I became precinct captains.

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.

I hope we can get back to what I call the kitchen table. Everyday issues that people are really worried about and focused on.

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

I think it's time we had a president who carried the same life experiences into the White House as most ordinary Americans.

You know, when you're in public life, everything you do is out there. But I am proud to stand on my record.

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.