The easiest time to be faithful is during a time of crisis. The hardest time for faith is when all is well.

We spent a lot of time talking about Africa, as we should. Africa is a nation that suffers from incredible disease.

The United States Navy carries the might and the mission of America to the farthest parts of the world.

[The economic crisis ] gave people the option to put money into private accounts.

I mean, there needs to be a wholesale effort against racial profiling, which is illiterate children.

We know that dictators are quick to choose aggression, while free nations strive to resolve differences in peace. We know that oppressive governments support terror, while free governments fight the terrorists in their midst. We know that free peoples embrace progress and life, instead of becoming the recruits for murderous ideologies.

I think the key anecdote in the book is when Colin [Powell] and I were discussing Iraq. Colin was upstairs in the Treaty Room, in the residence. And he talks about his concerns about the use of military in Iraq. And I said I felt the same concerns, but it might be that we have to use it. In which case, he said, "I support you."