There is a long-standing tradition in America of scoffing at poets, especially if they show any interest in politics.

It is dangerous for a national candidate to say things that people might remember.

You know when I first thought I might have a chance? When I realized that you could go into any bar in the country and insult Lyndon Johnson and nobody would punch you in the nose.

A newspaper may somewhat arrogantly assert that it prints "all the news that's fit to print." But no newspaper yet has been moved to declare at the end of each edition, "That's the way it is," as Walter Cronkite does.

The polls show that 10 percent of the public are ready to vote for me even though they don't know I'm running. We hope that figure won't drop when they learn I'm in the race.

Whatever is morally necessary must be made politically possible.

If any of you are secret poets, the best way to break into print is to run for the presidency.