America, I am a strong believer that how we treat each other matters.

You would think that if any group in America had 20% to 25% unemployment, it would generate all kinds of attention. The Labor Department would understandably and necessarily begin to concentrate on what can we do to reduce this level of unemployment. Congress would give great time on the floor for debate on what can be done.

The truth of the matter is the tone is toxic here in Washington, and we have been exporting it around the country.

[Raul Castro] is one of the most amazing human beings I've ever met.

I have family in Tanzania. I can't even explain the joy of riding through the Tanzania national park and seeing giraffes run across the road and elephants over in a pond and baboons running.

We can be fervent in our disagreements without being factitious with our beliefs.

First of all, do I think there's some racists in the Tea Party? Yeah. I'm an ordained United Methodist pastor; there's some racists in the Methodist church. I don't know if there's a body that does not have some racists in it.