A lot of the reason why the debate is acrimonious is because of the 24/7 news cycles, blogs, and people being able to just throw something out there in order to get attention. And I'm not going be out there doing the same thing, trying to trash my successor or call attention to myself. I hope that's a positive contribution to the dialogue.

We will allow private and religious groups to compete to provide services in every federal, state and local social program.

I promise you I will listen to what has been said here, even though I wasn't here.

I'm going to be involved with freedom; I'm going to be involved in the marketplace; I'm going to be involved in the accountability in schools.

On the issue of evolution, the verdict is still out on how God created the Earth.

Not far from here where we gather today is a symbol of freedom familiar to all Americans -- the Liberty Bell. When the Declaration of Independence was first read in public, the Liberty Bell was sounded in celebration, and a witness said: "It rang as if it meant something."

One of the great things about books is sometimes there are some fantastic pictures.