The lesson of September the 11th is: Take threats before they fully materialize.

What ends up happening is people form images and the image they form is, in some ways, what they want it to be. The idea of trying to correct the image is something I'm not interested in doing.

Theres a lot of blowhards in the political process, you know, a lot of hot-air artists, people who have got something fancy to say.

I do not like abortions. I will do everything in my power to restrict abortion.

I wish they weren't called the 'Bush tax cuts.' If they're called some other body's tax cuts, they're probably less likely to be raised.

[I was raised in] West Texas where people can dream big dreams and achieve them. But where people also have a great sense of community. They cared about their neighbors. And those values, I think, have stood me well.

Our job is to help Iraq forces be better equipped, to help their police be able to deal with these extremists and to help their government succeed.