Labels applied to people of any race are inherently offensive.

My parents taught me that racial prejudice is a sin, one that robs the world of great minds and talents.

In elective politics, it's up or out. You go up the ladder, or you get out of the game.

Election victories are a harvest. You plant the seed. For months or years, you water and tend them. In the election season, you reap the harvest.

My entire life has been devoted to breaking down barriers, to finding common ground.

Once bitten, you seldom lose the political bug.

I deplored a system that made it more profitable not to work than to work. I wanted to help change all that.