I was very fortunate to have had a mother and father who loved me in spite of my failings.

From a philosophical perspective, I want to fight off isolationism and protectionism, be it part of another voice out there that says, wait a minute, what matters to women in Afghanistan matters to America. An isolationist point of view says it doesn't matter. The articulation of "all life matters" helps frame the case that it does matter what happens to a woman in Afghanistan.

I'm comfortable that I made the best decisions I possibly could.

Of course we're after Iraq.. eh.. Saddam Hussein.. I mean bin Laden.

I'm just beginning to live the next chapter of my life. In other words, politics - being governor and president - is not the end of my life. It's a chapter.

It was much easier for me to endure the belittling than it was to watch my dad get belittled.

Now the Taliban will pay a price.